Greetings all. I too was born with CM and experienced adult onset of symptoms. In doing research on the topic, CM can present some 80 symptoms and every one is affected differently. This poses difficulties to doctors in making a sound diagnosis.

The MRI is the test to determine CM, but does need to be read by a radiologist, neurologist, or neurosurgeon who knows about CM. Normally, doctors do not perform sugery to correct CM unless the desent of the tonsils into the spinal column are 5 mm or greater, this is their standard. However, blockage of cerebral spinal fluid can be blocked with a size of 5 mm or less bringing on symptoms. A CINI MRI can be used to determine fluid blockage and as a patient, you will most likely have to insist on this type of MRI to make a determination of the blockage.

Your best bet is to research the doctors available to you to find out if they are experts in the CM area. This is the only way to achieve better results in your body.

Peace,
David