Correlation of Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Dynamics and Headache in Chiari I Malformation

Abstract

Regardless of the degree of tonsillar ectopia, occipital headaches were strongly associated with hindbrain CSF flow abnormalities, whereas frontal and generalized headaches were not. Normal magnetic resonance imaging-cine CSF flow in the setting of a Chiari I malformation and frontal headaches alone suggests that frontal headaches are not pathologically or causatively associated with the Chiari I malformation in the vast majority of patients. Frontal headaches with obstructed flow may respond to surgery.