Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 2

Diagnosis

Type 2 Arnold-Chiari malformation. Low levels of thyroid hormones—hypothyroidism.

Response from neurosurgeon Professor Martin Scholz:

The MRI images provided show an Arnold-Chiari malformation. The cerebellar tonsils are severely displaced into the foramen magnum, almost reaching the level of the first cervical vertebra (C1). The images also show syringomyelia of the cervical spinal cord.

The patient reports headaches in the left hemisphere of the brain, pain in the occipital region radiating to the thoracic spine, and numbness. In this case, surgery is recommended: a suboccipital craniotomy with enlargement of the foramen magnum and duraplasty. The estimated length of stay at the clinic is nine days. 

Estimated cost of treatment: 27,750 Euros

Treatment Provided:

A microsurgical procedure was performed: a midline suboccipital craniotomy with partial resection of the arch of the first cervical vertebra and dura mater repair, followed by lower cerebellar decompression. The surgery and postoperative period proceeded without complications. The patient remained in the intensive care unit for the first 24 hours, during which time her condition was stable and she did not require catecholamine support.

On the second day after surgery, the patient began mobilization under the supervision of the clinic’s physical therapist. The condition of the surgical wound was monitored regularly in the following days. On the sixth day after surgery, the patient was discharged from the clinic in good condition.

Actual cost of treatment: 25,450 Euros

Recommendations:

We recommend avoiding physical activity for three to four weeks and taking pain medication as needed. Follow-up head MRI scans should be performed three months after surgery. Driving is not recommended for three months.

Patient Review:

Hello, everyone. I’d like to discuss the details of receiving treatment in Germany, specifically the questions that interested me the most. I bombarded Konstantin with them. My first question was, “How can I get treatment right now?” He answered, “No problem.” Everything is possible, even under quarantine conditions. Konstantin handled all the paperwork, formalities, and anything else the embassy required. My only responsibilities were submitting the visa documents to the embassy, picking up my passport, and paying for the tickets and treatment.

We paid the clinic directly via invoice and the travel agency for the tickets. The money didn't go through any third parties, and everything was transparent. The invoice for the treatment organization service was issued separately, and everything was correct and clear. There were no hidden costs. The next question was whether it was possible to travel for treatment with an accompanying person. In order to do so, we had to provide all the necessary documents and pay for accommodation at the clinic or a hotel. My husband accompanied me. He could have stayed at a hotel and visited the clinic, but we chose to stay together. His accommodations and meals were included in the bill.

Having my husband with me helped me both mentally and physically because, during the first few days, it was difficult even to lift a glass of water. No matter how friendly the staff is, a loved one can help you better. Once we had finished with the paperwork, we bought our tickets. Konstantin answered all of our questions about hygiene and aesthetics, such as what to bring and whether we needed to bring towels or personal care items.

The Sana Duisburg clinic provides everything you need. They give out beauty kits for a week, which is more than enough. They provide towels, but not bathrobes. They provide a hospital gown, so even if you arrive with just the essentials, you don't need to worry about these little things. You don't need to buy anything at the store either. We arrived without luggage, stopped by a store, and bought shower gel and shampoo, but we didn’t end up using them.

The clinic provides meals, but if you’re a foodie, you can order food delivery. We were completely satisfied. Every day, someone came by to discuss the menu for the following day. In terms of daily living, there are no issues at all. We pay a lot of money for the flight and treatment, so it’s convenient that meals and hygiene products are included. The only time we went to the cafeteria was to buy ice cream before we left. The clinic even has a hair salon. There are absolutely no problems with any of this.

Konstantin, among others, handles the flights. All questions, even the silliest ones, were resolved, and they always come up before a flight and before surgery. We flew under quarantine conditions when Kazakhstan closed its borders, but we managed to leave. Currently, flights are suspended, but this issue will be resolved as well. In normal circumstances, there are no problems with this or with luggage.

As for the hospital, I had a few questions. I’m going to a prestigious clinic for a serious operation with the renowned Professor Martin Scholz, so why don't I need to provide a complete blood count or the other two pages of test results required for hospitalization in our country? These tests usually cost a fortune in our country. Here, they perform the necessary tests themselves.

I explained my medical history, and the doctors decided which additional tests needed to be performed before surgery. Based on the results of these tests, the doctors at the Sana Duisburg clinic planned the surgery, adding some steps and adjusting others. Everything is done properly here, and the German doctors conduct all examinations at their discretion. They have all the necessary technology and equipment, and they perform all the required tests. Everything is top-notch.

I’d like to express my immense gratitude to Konstantin. I am deeply grateful that life brought me together with such people. Now, all that’s left is to recover. I wish everyone good health and hope my review is helpful. While gathering information, I found every review helpful; they were another piece of the puzzle that helped me make my decision. In my case, there was another young woman from Almaty with the same diagnosis. She left a review on the GHP Pulse YouTube channel. They gave me her phone number, and I was able to call her.

She told me so much. At the time, it felt like my head couldn’t take it all in, like I needed to grab a pen and paper and write everything down. But now, here I am, telling you all about it myself. She reassured me that there’s no need to be afraid. There is fear, and everyone feels it. Doctors at the clinic must explain all the potential consequences and risks of the surgery to ensure the patient is fully informed. They won’t start the surgery without the patient’s signature on documents listing all the risks. All of this is scary, of course, but the scariest part for me was when I was on my way to the operating room and saw the ceiling with the lights. Then, I fell asleep, and that was it—no fear of waking up during the surgery. It all seems funny now, and it’s all behind me.

I understand that none of this may be reassuring to anyone. I’ve already been through it myself. The fear will always be there until you experience it firsthand. Believe me, the organization and treatment were both top-notch. Konstantin and his team save lives just as much as doctors do. For some people, a week makes all the difference, while for others, just 2–3 days determine whether they make it to the clinic. For some, the time it takes to prepare the paperwork could cost them their lives. I’ll say it again: The organization is top-notch. I recommend that everyone contact GHP Pulse—don’t hesitate! Stay healthy, everyone! Take care of one another!

Do you have doubts about your diagnosis or the proposed treatment? Get a second opinion from German medical experts. +49 170 62 47 020