Chiari malformation and attention deficit disorder
 

Both my son and I have had cervical decompression surgery for Chiari I malformations and syringomyelia. Shortly after his surgery at age 8, my son developed symptoms of ADD. There is a strong history on his dad's side (grandfather, father, brother and 2 sisters) and I have always just assumed that it was in his genes. Today I read a reference to ADD and cervical abnormalities. It has always bothered me a little that his school performance fell dramatically after the surgery, but since the neurosurgery didn't involve his cerebral cortex and there was no anoxia (lack of oxygen) I couldn't see a cause. His procedure involved an incision in the back of his neck, an enlargement of the foramen magnum (opening in the skull) and duraplasty (adding cadaver spinal cord covering to upper cord. He also had a laminectomy (removal of the back of the verterbrae) at the first cervical level. Today I read a couple of chiropractic case reports of boys with abnormal cervical spines and ADD and Tourette's syndrome. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Welcome to Neuro Talk Daisy. Below is the link to the ADD forum where you will find lots of support.


http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=39

Hi Daisy, it's good to meet you. :)
There is an Arnold Chiari Malformation & Syringomyelia Forum here as well.

I've read some reports regarding cervical spine abnormalities and Tourette's Syndrome, but they refer to the Tics causing the problems, rather than the other way around. Tourette's Syndrome is not caused by cervical spine abnormalities. Does your son have Tics? I'm very wary of chiropractic treatments because I have some abnormalities in my spine but I do know of an adult who has Tourette's Syndrome who has found great relief with chiropractic treatments though. I've also never come across the theory that the ADHD might be caused by cervical spine problems either.

There are quite a number of articles in PubMed regarding cervical myelopathy secondary to Tourette's Syndrome.

PubMed Article
Brain Dev. 2007 Mar;29(2):61-3. Epub 2006 Dec 22
Tourette’s syndrome with cervical disc herniation
Jainn-Jim Lin, Huei-Shyong Wang, Mun-Ching Wong, Chieh-Tsai Wu and Kuang-Lin Lin


PubMed Article
Mov Disord. 1996 Sep;11(5):563-6.
Severe motor tics causing cervical myelopathy in Tourette's syndrome.
Krauss JK, Jankovic J.

I can't help you with the Chiari specificially but I do know there are a few people who post on this site who are very knowledgeable. I'm sure they'll be along soon. Whether tics or ADHD symptoms are common in people who have Chiari I malformations and syringomyelia is something I do not know, but I am aware that there seems to be a connection in some people between Chiari and behaviours associated with the Autism Spectrum. I'm sure others will be able to give more information about that.

All the best to you and your son!

(((Daisy))) It's nice to meet you even though under these circumstances. I'm sorry about what you've been through and are going through.

You may also want to check out the spinal disorders forum to see if anyone there has similar situation.

And welcome. You'll meet great people here. :hug:

Nancy

ADD is always a symptom. Of course, it can exist with Chiari, autism, CP, hycrocephalus, etc., and anytime it's dx'ed by itself, IMHO, a CT or MRI is in order. EEG and allergy testing isn't a bad idea, either.



Just my take,
LIZARD :)

Hi Daisy,

Was just passing through and wanted to welcome you to the forum. :Wave-Hello:

Chiari Malformation and ADD
 

I had almost the exact same Chiari surgery when I was 12. I had previously been doing fine in school. After my surgery though I was diagnosed with ADHD because I could not concentrate and my grades dropped pretty dramatically. I always was curious if it had occurred because of the surgery, but I don't think we will ever know for sure.
Just wanted to let you know you're not the only one who had experience with it! I hope he is doing well & take care. :)

Welcome to NeuroTalk Lauren! :)

GrammieX4
 

I am not sure that I am replying in the right area, but here goes. My 9yr. old grandaughter had decompression surgery last year for Chiari Malformation ( she lives with me ) she also has syringomyelia ( a cervical syrinx and a thorasic syrinx) which has caused severe scoliosis and the need to wear a Boston Brace 16 hrs aday. She also has ADHD an takes meds for this. In answer to your question my grandaughter also seemed to experience ( still having issues ) academic problems ( staying on task, spacing, not understanding how to do basics in math and writing skills, etc. after the surgery. Her teachers also saw a difference and mentioned it to me, plus they were concerned with the obvious change in her skills, etc. to write a letter to her NS that did her surgery, so that when we went back for a follow up check I would have this letter plus my obvious concern to voice to him. Sadly the NS did not really think it was a problem ( her teachers and I still think that it is) so I am always looking for a correlation with academic learning and Chiari. Until the medical community acknowledges Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia as serious disabilities, we are left to struggle on our own with all of this and all of its many side effects, without any medical support or acknowledgment. By the way her father also had ADHD as a child ( my son ) and her older sister also has ADHD and is on meds as well. I hope in some small way this helps.....

I'm not sure about a possible connection but I'm certainly starting to figure out some of the school resources. If your child is struggling you can request an IDP plan and by the way the school must pay for any accomadations or a 504 plan (no $). Our school system takes approx 6 months to get this started but it has helped both of my children. 1is ADHD the other has ADHD, ts, anexity attacks. Hang in there.