Brain & Spine Center

About the Chiari CARE Program

The goal of Chiari CARE is to address your individual medical and surgical goals.  There are many specialists involved with the complex care that is often required for those who live with and experience symptoms related to Chiari malformation. Evaluation and treatment at Weill Cornell Medicine Chiari CARE may also involve neurology, radiology, pain nutrition, management, ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, ENT, sleep medicine, neuropsychology, genetics and/or immunology.
Chiari CARE



Chiari Learning Center
A patient's best strategy is to get educated about symptoms, treatment options, and ways to get well and stay well. Visit the Chiari Learning Center for the information, videos, and printables you need to understand your condition and your options. About Chiari >


Weill Cornell Medicine



The Weill Cornell Difference
Many doctors and facilities claim to treat Chiari, but Weill Cornell has the world-class experts most qualified to do so. Our specialists are nationally known experts in the newest, most advanced Chiari treatments available. Find out more about our services >


Weill Cornell Chiari CARE

The Challenge of Chiari We understand how challenging a Chiari diagnosis can be. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and our experts will develop a treatment plan that's right for you. Request an Appointment >



Danielle Dietz



What Our Patients Say
"It’s like I’m a brand-new person. I have a life. I'm able to be a normal 24-year-old now, and I never thought I’d be able to say that!” See more patient stories >

 


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Is Chiari surgery dangerous?

No. The procedure is done frequently and patients do very well. At the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, almost all patients (more than 90 percent) have successful outcomes. Complications from surgery, while theoretical, are rarely if ever seen. (Read more on Surgery for Chiari Malformation.)

How can I find the best surgeon for Chiari?

Chiari CARE Surgeons at Weill CornellFinding the best neurosurgeon for your Chiari surgery can be a challenge. As with other procedures, the best surgeons are the ones with a lot of experience with your condition, so ask how many Chiari decompression surgeries he or she has done. Another important factor is where the neurosurgeon performs surgery. Chiari is a complex condition that requires multidisciplinary care, so the best choice is a neurosurgeon who practices in a major medical center with access to a full team. Most of all, the neurosurgeon needs to be someone who understands you, and with whom you feel 100 percent comfortable. For more information, see How to Choose a Neurosurgeon for Chiari.

How do I know what Chiari treatment I need?

Experienced neurosurgeons at major brain and spine centers have treated many patients with Chiari and will evaluate each new case carefully before making a recommendation. The best brain and spine centers take a team approach to patient evaluation, and consider input from multiple specialists before making a recommendation.  

The neurosurgeon will make a recommendation based on the risk of surgery vs. the risk of not operating. If the patient does not have symptoms and does not have a syrinx, yearly monitoring is often all that's needed.

Find out more by visiting Deciding on Treatment for Chiari, or find out more about the Weill Cornell Chiari CARE program

When can my child return to school, or when can I return to work, after Chiari surgery?

As long as your employment does not involve heavy exertion, you will usually return in two or three weeks. Children can return to school after two or three weeks, but should not participate in physical education classes or recess for about six weeks. (See more on Diagnosing and Treating Chiari Malformation.)

Do my children or relatives have a Chiari malformation? Should they all get tested?

Probably not. It is highly unlikely that any first-degree relative (parent, child, sibling, etc.) is affected. Unless your relatives have symptoms of Chiari, they do not need any MRIs or other diagnostic imaging. (Read more about Symptoms of Chiari Malformation.)

Are there any treatments for Chiari other than surgery?

No. Some patients do not require any treatment, and in some cases we can opt to treat the symptoms only, with pain medication. But managing pain does not treat the condition — surgery is the only option that treats Chiari. (Read more on Surgery for Chiari Malformation.)

Can I have the minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery for Chiari?

Possibly. All patients are potential candidates for minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery, and your neurosurgeon will discuss that with you thoroughly before making a decision. (Read more about Surgery for Chiari Malformation.)

Will I need more than one surgery for Chiari?

A second operation is very unlikely and may depend on the type of surgery performed. The potential for a secondary procedure ranges from 3 to 10 percent. In a child younger than 3 years of age, there is a higher likelihood of bone regrowth that may call for additional surgery later. (Read more about Surgery for Chiari Malformation.)

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Weill Cornell Medicine Brain & Spine Center 525 East 68 Street, Box 99 New York, NY 10065 Phone: 866-426-7787