Some patients experience blurred or double vision, difficulty in tracking objects or a hypersensitivity to bright lights. Patients may have difficulty swallowing, frequent gagging and choking and, in some cases, sleep apnea may be present. Syringomyelia is a disorder in which cerebrospinal fluid enters the spinal cord, forming a cavity known as a syrinx. It is recommended that patients diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation have the entire spine imaged to rule out the presence of a syrinx, since it may be a consideration in treatment and prognosis. Surgical procedures to enlarge the posterior fossa are considered a treatment option for patients with the Chiari I Malformation.
Techniques are quite diversified amongst neurosurgeons, and patient responses vary greatly.
A successful surgery will alleviate pressure on the neural elements and may result in an improvement of symptoms. The decision to treat a Chiari Malformation surgically requires careful consultation between patient and physician. Factors to be considered are the patient's current neurological condition and progression of symptoms over a period of time. Research into the risk of inheritance for the Chiari I Malformation is still in its early stages. In some families, more than one member has been documented to have the Chiari I Malformation.