Treatment for Chiari malformation depends on the symptoms: mild or symptom-free cases are usually managed with medical follow-up and periodic MRIs, while symptomatic or progressive cases generally require surgery. The most common procedure is posterior fossa decompression, which creates more space at the base of the skull to relieve pressure on the cerebellum and spinal cord and restore normal cerebrospinal fluid flow.
The goal is to stop the condition from progressing and to relieve or stabilize symptoms such as pain at the back of the head, dizziness, numbness, or loss of balance. Like any surgery, it carries risks such as infection or fluid leakage, so the decision is made after a specialized evaluation.
In Costa Rica, Dr. Andrés Morales performs Chiari malformation surgery, after an individual evaluation of each patient.