&lt;h1 data-section-id=&quot;18o3f4b&quot; data-start=&quot;239&quot; data-end=&quot;288&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is It and What Does It Feel Like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;290&quot; data-end=&quot;607&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your brain sits inside the skull like a passenger inside a protective helmet. Most of the time, there&amp;rsquo;s just the right amount of space for everything to sit comfortably. But in people with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;479&quot; data-end=&quot;520&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Chiari malformation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, the lower part of the skull may be a little smaller or shaped differently than usual.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;609&quot; data-end=&quot;963&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;When this happens, part of the brain called the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;657&quot; data-end=&quot;671&quot;&gt;cerebellum&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; the area responsible for balance and coordination &amp;mdash; can be pushed downward into the spinal canal. This space is normally reserved for the spinal cord, so when brain tissue moves into that area, it can crowd important structures and interfere with how the brain and spinal cord communicate.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;965&quot; data-end=&quot;1314&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Another important piece of the puzzle involves &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1012&quot; data-end=&quot;1059&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Cerebrospinal fluid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (CSF)&lt;/strong&gt;. This clear fluid circulates around the brain and spinal cord, acting like a cushion and helping remove waste. In Chiari malformation, the crowded space at the base of the skull can disrupt the normal flow of this fluid, which may contribute to symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;965&quot; data-end=&quot;1314&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1szvy4c&quot; data-start=&quot;1316&quot; data-end=&quot;1347&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;Some people never notice it&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1349&quot; data-end=&quot;1627&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;One surprising fact about Chiari malformation is that &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1403&quot; data-end=&quot;1448&quot;&gt;many people never develop symptoms at all&lt;/strong&gt;. In some cases, it&amp;rsquo;s discovered by accident during an imaging test such as an &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1527&quot; data-end=&quot;1568&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;MRI scan&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; done for headaches, injuries, or other unrelated concerns.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1629&quot; data-end=&quot;1717&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;For those who do experience symptoms, they can vary widely from mild to more noticeable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1629&quot; data-end=&quot;1717&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;sk5hq5&quot; data-start=&quot;1719&quot; data-end=&quot;1766&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The most common symptom: pressure headaches&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1768&quot; data-end=&quot;2024&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A hallmark symptom of Chiari malformation is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1815&quot; data-end=&quot;1851&quot;&gt;headache at the back of the head&lt;/strong&gt;, often near the base of the skull. These headaches may become worse after coughing, sneezing, laughing, or straining &amp;mdash; anything that briefly increases pressure in the head.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2026&quot; data-end=&quot;2064&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;People sometimes describe the pain as:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2068&quot; data-end=&quot;2087&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A sudden sharp ache&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2090&quot; data-end=&quot;2122&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pressure at the back of the head&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2125&quot; data-end=&quot;2157&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Pain that radiates into the neck&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2159&quot; data-end=&quot;2266&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because the cerebellum helps control balance and coordination, symptoms can also affect how the body moves.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;1om25pp&quot; data-start=&quot;2268&quot; data-end=&quot;2295&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other possible symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2297&quot; data-end=&quot;2417&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Depending on how much pressure is present and which nerves are affected, people with Chiari malformation may experience:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2421&quot; data-end=&quot;2445&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Neck pain or stiffness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2448&quot; data-end=&quot;2481&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Trouble with balance or walking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2484&quot; data-end=&quot;2519&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Dizziness or a spinning sensation&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2522&quot; data-end=&quot;2560&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Poor hand coordination or clumsiness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2563&quot; data-end=&quot;2607&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2610&quot; data-end=&quot;2627&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Muscle weakness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2630&quot; data-end=&quot;2688&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty swallowing, sometimes with gagging or choking&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2691&quot; data-end=&quot;2729&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Changes in voice, such as hoarseness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2731&quot; data-end=&quot;2832&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some people also report ringing in the ears, sensitivity to noise, or problems with depth perception.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2834&quot; data-end=&quot;3103&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In certain cases, Chiari malformation can be associated with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2895&quot; data-end=&quot;2936&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Syringomyelia&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, a condition in which a fluid-filled cyst forms inside the spinal cord. When this happens, symptoms such as numbness, weakness, or chronic pain may develop over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2834&quot; data-end=&quot;3103&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;zi2xhk&quot; data-start=&quot;3105&quot; data-end=&quot;3141&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When do symptoms usually appear?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3143&quot; data-end=&quot;3437&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The most common form of the condition &amp;mdash; &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3183&quot; data-end=&quot;3213&quot;&gt;Type 1 Chiari malformation&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; often doesn&amp;rsquo;t cause symptoms until &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3251&quot; data-end=&quot;3279&quot;&gt;adolescence or adulthood&lt;/strong&gt;. This is because the structural difference has been present since birth, but symptoms may only develop later when the brain, spine, or fluid dynamics change.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3439&quot; data-end=&quot;3471&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sometimes symptoms appear after:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3475&quot; data-end=&quot;3504&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A minor head or neck injury&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3507&quot; data-end=&quot;3540&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Rapid growth during adolescence&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3543&quot; data-end=&quot;3577&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Changes in spinal fluid pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3579&quot; data-end=&quot;3706&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;For many patients, the first clue is simply a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3625&quot; data-end=&quot;3659&quot;&gt;persistent or unusual headache&lt;/strong&gt;, which leads to imaging tests and a diagnosis.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1al1zz5&quot; data-start=&quot;3737&quot; data-end=&quot;3767&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why Does It Happen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3769&quot; data-end=&quot;4069&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;To understand why Chiari malformation develops, it helps to think again about space. The brain and spinal cord share a carefully designed environment inside the skull and spine. When that space is slightly smaller or shaped differently than expected, it can lead to crowding at the base of the brain.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4071&quot; data-end=&quot;4431&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4074&quot; data-end=&quot;4097&quot;&gt;Chiari malformation&lt;/strong&gt;, the lower portion of the skull &amp;mdash; called the posterior fossa &amp;mdash; may be &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4168&quot; data-end=&quot;4204&quot;&gt;too small or not formed normally&lt;/strong&gt;. Because of this limited space, part of the cerebellum is pushed downward through an opening in the skull called the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4322&quot; data-end=&quot;4363&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Foramen magnum&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. This is the natural opening where the spinal cord exits the skull.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4433&quot; data-end=&quot;4510&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When cerebellar tissue moves into this area, two important things may happen:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4515&quot; data-end=&quot;4560&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4515&quot; data-end=&quot;4558&quot;&gt;Pressure on brain and spinal structures&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4564&quot; data-end=&quot;4606&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4564&quot; data-end=&quot;4606&quot;&gt;Disruption of cerebrospinal fluid flow&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4608&quot; data-end=&quot;4690&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Both of these changes can contribute to the symptoms experienced by some patients.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4608&quot; data-end=&quot;4690&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1umt119&quot; data-start=&quot;4692&quot; data-end=&quot;4726&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Congenital vs. acquired causes&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4728&quot; data-end=&quot;4943&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most Chiari malformations are &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4758&quot; data-end=&quot;4772&quot;&gt;congenital&lt;/strong&gt;, meaning they develop during fetal growth before birth. Subtle differences in how the skull and brain form can lead to the crowded space that characterizes the condition.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4945&quot; data-end=&quot;5166&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Less commonly, Chiari malformation can develop later in life. This is sometimes called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5032&quot; data-end=&quot;5064&quot;&gt;acquired Chiari malformation&lt;/strong&gt;, and it may occur when something reduces the volume of spinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;5168&quot; data-end=&quot;5192&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Possible causes include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5196&quot; data-end=&quot;5214&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Injury or trauma&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5217&quot; data-end=&quot;5228&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5231&quot; data-end=&quot;5269&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Complications from spinal procedures&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5272&quot; data-end=&quot;5308&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Excessive drainage of spinal fluid&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5310&quot; data-end=&quot;5403&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These situations are much less common than congenital cases but can produce similar symptoms.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5310&quot; data-end=&quot;5403&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;89klnv&quot; data-start=&quot;5405&quot; data-end=&quot;5451&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The different types of Chiari malformation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5453&quot; data-end=&quot;5590&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Healthcare providers typically classify the condition into several types based on how much brain tissue is displaced and when it appears.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;5592&quot; data-end=&quot;5604&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;5592&quot; data-end=&quot;5602&quot;&gt;Type 1&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5607&quot; data-end=&quot;5629&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The most common form&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5632&quot; data-end=&quot;5675&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Usually discovered in teenagers or adults&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5678&quot; data-end=&quot;5731&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;May produce headaches, balance issues, or neck pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5734&quot; data-end=&quot;5783&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Sometimes found incidentally during imaging tests&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;5785&quot; data-end=&quot;5797&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;5785&quot; data-end=&quot;5795&quot;&gt;Type 2&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5800&quot; data-end=&quot;5826&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Usually present at birth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5829&quot; data-end=&quot;5968&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Often occurs along with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5853&quot; data-end=&quot;5894&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Spina bifida&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, particularly the form called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5925&quot; data-end=&quot;5966&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Myelomeningocele&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5971&quot; data-end=&quot;6059&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms in infants may include swallowing difficulties, breathing problems, or weakness&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;6061&quot; data-end=&quot;6073&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;6061&quot; data-end=&quot;6071&quot;&gt;Type 3&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;6076&quot; data-end=&quot;6092&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Extremely rare&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;6095&quot; data-end=&quot;6178&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Involves more severe displacement of brain tissue through an opening in the skull&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;6181&quot; data-end=&quot;6228&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Usually diagnosed before or shortly after birth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;wi0j1j&quot; data-start=&quot;6230&quot; data-end=&quot;6265&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Is Chiari malformation genetic?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;6267&quot; data-end=&quot;6497&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Researchers believe that &lt;strong data-start=&quot;6292&quot; data-end=&quot;6334&quot;&gt;genetics may play a role in some cases&lt;/strong&gt;, because the condition occasionally appears in multiple family members. However, scientists are still working to understand exactly which genes might be involved.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;6499&quot; data-end=&quot;6585&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most cases appear &lt;strong data-start=&quot;6517&quot; data-end=&quot;6533&quot;&gt;sporadically&lt;/strong&gt;, meaning they occur without a clear family history.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;o6qwg5&quot; data-start=&quot;6587&quot; data-end=&quot;6620&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What happens after diagnosis?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;6622&quot; data-end=&quot;6795&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A diagnosis of Chiari malformation doesn&amp;rsquo;t always mean immediate treatment is necessary. Management depends largely on &lt;strong data-start=&quot;6741&quot; data-end=&quot;6794&quot;&gt;symptoms and how the condition affects daily life&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;6797&quot; data-end=&quot;6825&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Possible approaches include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;6829&quot; data-end=&quot;6883&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;6829&quot; data-end=&quot;6859&quot;&gt;Observation and monitoring&lt;/strong&gt; with periodic imaging&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;6886&quot; data-end=&quot;6931&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;6886&quot; data-end=&quot;6901&quot;&gt;Medications&lt;/strong&gt; to manage pain or headaches&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;6934&quot; data-end=&quot;7016&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;6934&quot; data-end=&quot;6945&quot;&gt;Surgery&lt;/strong&gt; to relieve pressure and restore normal fluid flow in more severe cases&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;7018&quot; data-end=&quot;7197&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Many people with mild forms live full, active lives with little or no treatment. For others, early evaluation and appropriate management can significantly improve quality of life.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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