Arnold-Chiari Malformation

Diagnosis

Arnold-Chiari malformation type 1. Syringomyelia of the cervical spine.

Response from Professor Martin Scholz, neurosurgeon:

The patient has severe Arnold–Chiari syndrome, with the cerebellar tonsils dropping down to the level of the first cervical vertebra, which is compressing the medulla oblongata. There is extensive syringomyelia within the cervical spinal cord. The patient suffers from recurrent headaches.

In this case, we are dealing with an absolute indication for surgery to decompress the foramen magnum, followed by duraplasty. The operation will be performed using microsurgical techniques.

The patient's questions:

• How many operations of this kind have you performed?

• How long will I need to stay in hospital?

The doctor replied:

• Since becoming Chief Medical Officer at the Duisburg Clinic in 2009, I stopped counting the number of operations I have performed. I have performed over 7,000 operations in total – approximately 450 per year – of which at least 1,000 are in the posterior fossa. Arnold-Chiari malformation is a relatively rare condition, so I perform these operations between five and ten times a year. Over my 28-year career in neurosurgery, 22 of which I have spent working as a qualified specialist surgeon, I have performed 150–200 of these operations. 
• The average length of stay in hospital is 7–10 days.

Estimated cost of treatment: 26,500 Euros

Treatment performed:

Microsurgical decompression was performed, involving enlargement of the occipital space, resection of the arch of the first cervical vertebra, and repair of the dura mater.

The postoperative period proceeded without complications. Follow-up CT scans showed the craniocervical junction to be normal and consistent with the postoperative condition. The day after the operation, the patient was transferred to a ward in the neurosurgery department.

Mobilisation, carried out with the assistance of a physiotherapist, proceeded without significant complications. A cervical brace was fitted to immobilise the cervical spine. The patient was discharged from the clinic in good condition on the seventh day after the operation. 

Actual cost of treatment: 22,960 Euros

Patient review:

I would like to share my experience. I underwent neurosurgery at the Sana Clinic in Duisburg. Professor Martin Scholz performed the surgery. Before entrusting this wonderful doctor with my care, I consulted nine different neurosurgeons in South Korea, Israel, Moscow and Germany. Professor Scholz answered all my questions very promptly before the operation. When I flew to Germany to meet him in person, I realised that I had made the right choice.

The operation was a success and, on the second day afterwards, he personally helped me get back on my feet. We walked around the ward together. He is a very caring, kind and good-natured man with a golden touch. I am so glad that I chose him for my treatment. All the staff at the clinic are extremely helpful and friendly, even at night. I really appreciated the service at the clinic. I have absolutely no regrets about choosing to go there.

I would also like to thank my coordinator, Konstantin, for his patience, for looking after me, and for his responsiveness, competence, tact and humanity. He has coordinated my care from the very beginning, from when I first sought help in choosing a doctor until now. I would also like to thank Evgeny, the interpreter provided by the company. He is a kind and helpful person. He helped me throughout my stay at the clinic and during my time in Germany.

Thank you all so much!

The sooner treatment is provided, the better the outcome will be. Book a consultation right now: +49 170 62 47 020