Can a lumbar puncture cause Chiari Type 1?

Posted , 7 users are following.

I just got back the results from a brain MRI. "Low-lying cerebellar tonsils are noted with findings consistent with Chiari Type I malformation". The report also says: "Relative lack of cerebral spinal fluid at foramen magnum".

A few months ago I endured a horrible lumbar puncture followed by a couple weeks of spinal headaches.

Last year I underwent another brain MRI and the report for that stated that my brain was "unremarkable". Because of this, I tend to think that the LP has caused me to have CM Type 1. However, I have searched extensively online and I'm not seeing too much in the way of LPs causing CM Type 1. Anyone with an opinion on this? Thanks very much.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Just guessed but don't think lumbar punch would cause that. Did u fall or anything else happen?

    • Posted

      Turns out that I've had a CM for a while, and I had a lumbar puncture earlier this year when I didn't know I had it. That probably explains why my LP experience and recovery were very painful. But no, I haven't had any traumatic injuries that might have aggravated my CM. All I know is that in 2015 all of a sudden I started feeling lightheaded all the time, with a feeling of pressure in my head and abnormal vision.

  • Posted

    I don't know about a lumbar puncture, but I had a lumbar pump break and I lost apron 30mgs of csf fluid. My NS was furious with the nurses and I heard them say losing too much fluid could cause my tonsils to herniate more. Idk if that helps or not.

  • Posted

    Hi there,

    As far as I know the LP helped some one who had CSF flow blockand reduce the pressure instantly,I had 2 LP prior to my surgery then 4 after..the LP actually helped to relieve the tension - if that enough management then patients be advised not to have surgery but if symptom  persist then decompression offered.

  • Posted

    I have very similar symptoms and am saving for a private upright MRI. My MRI lying flat was normal but I may have Ehler's Danlos syndrome where lax connective tissue means the brain slips down when you are upright. For this reason I have not had a lumbar puncture. Did you get treatment for your Chiari?

  • Posted

    Hi, a LP can't cause CMT1 it's a def ft caused at birth. Some ppl go all there life with no symptoms and only find out when there having an autopsy at the end of there life. Some like myself find that it presents it self in adult life, there are no reasons as to why it happens or what causes it but in a nut she'll, our scull is to small for our brain to fit in so it dest ends threw the only opening which is at the base of the scull. 

    I have had the decompression operation to try and make some room for this problem. But there is no cure for it, it's here and we have to live with it. It sucks but every case is different. There are very few means of information out there about this to which I have searched high and low for. I have had a few open discussions if you would like to read threw my story.... but if they offer you the operation please think this threw very carefully and wey up all the pro and cons first. As it has destroyed my life having it. I hope you find your answers your looking for.

    Take care 

    Kelly xx

  • Posted

    I have a chiari malformation and my neurosurgeon believes mine may have been caused from a lumbar puncture as i didnt have it 4 years ago and now I do....most people are born with a chiari or so they assume but its obvious that I wasn't and he said he's not come across it before so your question has come at a very interesting time for me

  • Posted

    Hi there,

    As far as I know the LP helped some one who had CSF flow blockand reduce the pressure instantly,I had 2 LP prior to my surgery then 4 after..the LP actually helped to relieve the tension - if that enough management then patients be advised not to have surgery but if symptom  persist then decompression offered.

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