Chiari malformation is a congenital malformation in which parts of the cerebellum descend into the spinal canal. This disrupts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and can lead to pressure on the spinal cord.

The symptoms vary greatly: some sufferers have hardly any symptoms, while others suffer from severe headaches, dizziness, balance problems, vision or swallowing problems. In children, developmental delays, breathing disorders or poor posture such as scoliosis can also occur.

The diagnosis is usually made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Depending on the severity, either waiting and monitoring or surgery is performed to relieve the pressure and improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.