Meeting with the Neurosurgeon

Today we saw the neurosurgeon for the results of the MRI that was done yesterday on Rowan's spinal cord and brain . This MRI was a follow up to one done a few weeks back which determined that Rowan has chiari malformation, type 1. Basically, this is a condition where the back part of the brain dips down out of the hole in the back of the skull. They wanted to look again at more to make sure this was not causing too much pressure on his spinal column and also wanted to have a look at the spine itself.

Dr. Graupman showed me the MRI results and pointed out the part of Rowan's brain (the cerebellar tonsil, if you want the technical name) that was falling below where it should be by several millimeters. Although it is a Type 1, which is the mildest type, he said it is still quite significant. At this point, the spinal fluid still has room to flow and Rowan isn't showing signs of extreme headaches and such from it. Therefore, he wants us to monitor it for now. He was very clear that given the significance, at some point Rowan will need surgery for it to make more room. Unfortunately he was unable to give a timeline on it. When it is time for the surgery, he will go into the back of Rowan's skull to remove a piece of bone. This will give that part of the brain more room. He normally sees patients again in one year, but wants Rowan to come back in for another MRI in nine months. So for now we don't do anything unless he starts to show that it is causing him pain, and we don't need to restrict activities.