Tonsillar Ectopia

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Determining if a Relationship Exists Between Tonsillar Ectopia and Symptom Presentation in Chiari Malformation Patients

Author: Julia R. Saling, B.S.1, Paige Marty, B.S.2, Rebecca Fischbein, Ph.D3, Michelle Chyatte, Dr.PH., MPH4

Author Affiliations:

1 Student Research Fellow, Northeast Ohio Medical University

2 Student Research Fellow, Northeast Ohio Medical University

3 Research Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University

4 Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University

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Corresponding Author: Julia R. Saling, jsaling@neomed.edu

Key Words: Chiari Malformation Type I, Tonsillar Ectopia, Symptom Presentation

 

Abstract:

Purpose

Chiari Malformation Type I (CM I) is characterized by cerebellar tonsil ectopia and has varying symptomatology . Previous research has shown a relationship between tonsillar dominance and related conditions but few examined association with symptomatology. This study attempts to elucidate a relationship between cerebellar tonsil dominance, age, and symptomatology.

Methods

Data from CM I patients were extracted from the Conquer Chiari Patient Registry. Tonsillar dominance was determined using a ratio of right-to-left herniation length. Pearson’s correlation and one-tailed Student’s T-test were used for analysis.

Results

Length of tonsillar descent appears to be negatively correlated to age of onset (r = -0.266; p < 0.001; n = 113) and diagnosis (r = -0.323; p < 0.001; n = 113). No correlation was found between tonsillar dominance and symptom location, nor between tonsillar dominance and symptom severity bilaterally (p > 0.05).  Symptom location and severity ratios appear to be correlated (r = 0.666; p < 0.001). Tonsillar descent length appears to be strongly correlated bilaterally (r = 0.972; p < 0.001; n = 50).

Conclusion
Inconsistency between tonsillar dominance as related to symptomatology suggests a multifactorial contribution to clinical presentation. The inverse relationship between tonsillar herniation length and age of symptom onset and diagnosis suggests herniation length may be an important predictor for clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate additional contributing factors and tonsillar dominance and symptomatology association.

 

Published on date: August, 2016

 

DOI: 10.15404/msrj/08.2016.0007

Citation: Saling et al. Determining if a Relationship Exists Between Tonsillar Ectopia and Symptom Presentation in Chiari Malformation Patients Medical Student Research Journal (2016). doi:10.15404/msrj/08.2016.0007

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