Comparison of efficacy of two surgical methods for Chiari anomalies with syringomyelia

Objective To investigate the efficacy of foramen magnum decompression alone and foramen magnum decompression + Syrinx-shunt in the treatment of Chiari anomalies with syringomyelia.Methods Forty-nine Chiari anomalies with syringomyelia patients were selected,28 patients performed foramen magnum decompression alone (surgical method Ⅰ group),21 patients performed foramen magnum decompression + Syrinx-shunt (surgical method Ⅱ group).The treatment efficacy was evaluated by postoperative clinical effect and MRI review.Results In surgical method Ⅰ group,effective in 18 cases,invalid in 10 cases,the effective rate was 64.3％ (18/28).In surgical method Ⅱ group,effective in 19 cases,invalid in 2 cases,the effective rate was 90.5％(19/21).There was statistical difference (x2 =4.45,P =0.034).Conclusion Foramen magnum decompression + Syrinx-shunt is effective in the treatment of Chiari anomalies with syringomyelia,which is applicable for these patients and has a more precise consequence than foramen magnum decompression alone. Key words: Syringomyelia;  Chiari anomalies;  Foramen magnum decompression