Aqueduct stenosis and Chiari I malformation

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

4 week history of headache, nausea, and tremor of both hands.

Patient Data

Age: 20 years
Gender: Male

Beautiful demonstration of septum pellucidum perforation, with dilatation of the 3rd and lateral ventricles and a focal septum in the aqueduct causing obstruction, as evidenced by a lack of flow void. The ballooned 3rd ventricle erodes the dorsum sellae causing marked deformity of the hypothalamus, pituitary stalk, and pituitary gland. 

The sagittal series demonstrate typical Chiari I malformation without syringomyelia. Note the dysplastic (pyramidal shaped) cerebellar tonsils protruding through the foramen magnum.

Case Discussion

Typical findings of long standing aqueduct stenosis presenting in a young adult with associated Chiari I malformation. The tonsils are dysplastic, not just protruding as might be expected with obstructive hydrocephalus

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