Chiari Malformations: Diagnosis, Treatments and Failures-Douglas L. Brockmeyer, MD, FAANS Video

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Doug Brockmeyer discusses outcomes research and treatment failures concerning Chiari malformations. He starts by explaining the current state of Chiari outcomes research and the challenges faced, such as lack of industry support, low patient volumes, and the absence of standardized definitions and validated outcome measures. He mentions the Chicago Chiari outcome score and the Chiari Severity Index, both of which have been used to assess post-operative outcomes and predict treatment success. Brockmeyer also highlights the need for validated outcome tools that incorporate direct patient reporting, quality of life assessment, and sufficient multidimensional assessment. He discusses the costs involved in reoperation rates for posterior fossa decompression versus duroplasty procedures and concludes that cost should not be the sole factor in decision-making for Chiari patients. Lastly, he touches on the complexities of Chiari malformations and presents a case study of a patient with complex Chiari who required an occipital cervical fusion and odontoid reduction. The surgery was successful in improving the patient's symptoms.

Keywords

Chiari outcomes research

validated outcome measures

treatment success

reoperation rates

occipital cervical fusion