Citation

Uzoigwe CE, Shabani F, Chami G, El-Tayeb M. J. Bone Joint Surg. Br. 2009; 91(8): 1103-1104.

Affiliation

Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Scartho Road, Grimsby DN332BA, UK. chika@doctors.org.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery)

DOI

10.1302/0301-620X.91B8.22266

PMID

19651845

Abstract

We describe a case of type-I Arnold-Chiari malformation in a 27-year-old woman who presented on two separate occasions with an apparent whiplash injury. She developed debilitating symptoms after two apparently low velocity vehicle collisions. MRI revealed a type-I Arnold-Chiari malformation. She was referred for consideration of neurosurgical decompression. Type-I Arnold-Chiari malformation is the downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. It is usually asymptomatic but may present after apparently insignificant trauma with a wide range of possible symptoms. The protean nature of its presentation and the similarity of the symptoms to those of a whiplash injury mean that it is easily overlooked. It is, however, important that it is detected early.

Language: en