Re: Low Lying Cerebellar Tonsil

[Guest guest]

>Can someone explain LLCT and how it does or doesn't relate to ACM?

" Low lying cerebellar tonsils " is also often referred to as... you

guessed it: a Chiari Malformation.

In general, it's the same thing. Some will argue that a certain level

of herniation is required before a Chiari Malformation diagnosis is

warranted. The newest information shows that the patients symptoms,

(not length of herniation) cerebral spinal fluid flow, posterior

fossa volume ratio etc.. are a more accurate way to diagnose a Chiari

malformation.

A finding of low lying cerebellar tonsils is reason enough to

continue looking in this same direction for answers. Don't be too

surprised if there are no answers to some of your questions. We all

still have a lot to learn.

Chip

6 years post-op and doing great !

http://www.pressenter.com/~chip/chiari.htm

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[Guest guest]

Hi confused...

Low-lying tonsils is often used by doctors to refer to patients whose

MRI demonstrates the cerebellar tonsils as mildly descended into the

spinal canal - usually less than 5mm. However, some doctors use it

more loosely and refer to it even when the tonsils are herniated more

than 5mm. Therefore, some doctors use it synonymously with Chiari I or

ACM whereas others don't - the bottom line is whether they think it

could be a reason for your problems. This is the sticky point! Most

doctors still think the only criteria required to diagnose it is at

least 5mm cerebellar tonsillar herniation - many think 5mm is mild and

that your tonsils have to be herniated significantly more than 5mm to

be symptomatic.

Let me tell you that my daughter's cerebellar tonsils were at the

level of the foramen magnum (0mm) and decompression surgery January,

1999, alleviated some 20-25 symptoms and none have returned, I'm happy

to report, proving that this 5mm criterion is inaccurate and

incomplete. There are others on this forum, past and present, who've

had similar situations.

What has your doc said about it as far as your symptoms go? I can only

assume that if he saw it back in 1994 and said either low-lying

tonsils or ACM and it wasn't pursued any further, then he must think

it's insignificant and I would think your tonsils are mildly herniated

(less than 5mm or not much more).

If you get nowhere with him, you may want to find a doctor who better

understands Chiari I - there are plenty of people here who can help

you find such a doctor, hopefully close to you. But beware - many of

us have had to travel long distances to seek expert opinions.

Hope this helps...

Eurico

> Okay. Two things happened today. First, I finally tracked down my

> MRI from 1994 and got a release signed so the hospital will send it

> to me. Second, I got a call back from the neuro's office (he's been

> on vacation for a week). He relayed a message to me that he had

> dx'd " low lying cerebellar tonsil " , not ACM. I SWEAR he told me ACM

> back in 1994 because all I could remember about it until recently

was

> that it was a person's name-and I can never remember people's names.

> I recognized it right away when I read it on-line. Can someone

> explain LLCT and how it does or doesn't relate to ACM? Has anyone

> been dx'd with this by one dr and ACM by someone else? 95% of the

> symtoms of ACM listed and most of the things everyone posts about I

> have dealt with. I know I was in terrible condition until I saw the

> chiro. Now I'm confused.