Chiari I malformation with quadriplegia and respiratory disturbance in an infant.

Chiari I malformation consists of variable downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils. Quadriplegia, respiratory disturbance and pain are common in Chiari I malformation in adults. However, there are no reports of this syndrome in early childhood. We report the case of a 9-month-old girl with Chiari I malformation who had quadriplegia with muscle weakness and who developed respiratory disturbance as an early symptom. The causes of the symptoms of Chiari I malformation are discussed. The use of MRI is proposed as a more useful diagnostic technique than myelography for these patients since MRI is less likely to aggravate the respiratory disturbance.