Respiratory arrest: a complication of Arnold-Chiari malformation in adults.

We describe the cases of 2 adult patients who developed respiratory arrest and were found to have Arnold-Chiari malformation on magnetic resonance imaging. Following posterior fossa decompression both patients improved, though one of them subsequently died during sleep. Imaging of the craniocervical junction should be part of the workup of patients with unexplained apneic episodes.