Chiari Malformation Across the Lifespan – Developmental Anomaly or Progressive Disorder? Understanding Age-Dependent Pathology and Phenotypes

Help share more videos like this by donating to Bobby Jones CSF: https://bobbyjonescsf.org/donate-online/

In her lecture, Dr. Konstantina Svokos examines how Chiari malformation presents differently across the lifespan, with particular attention to the distinctions between pediatric and adult patients. She challenges common misconceptions that Chiari is simply an incidental anatomical finding or a condition that patients can “outgrow,” highlighting evidence of cognitive, brainstem, cerebellar, and spinal cord dysfunction. Drawing on clinical experience and research, she explores how Chiari symptoms may evolve over time and discusses the potential roles of associated conditions, intradural abnormalities, chronic tissue compression, and extradural structures such as the myodural bridges. Dr. Svokos concludes that Chiari should be viewed as a lifelong condition whose symptoms and underlying pathology may change with age, emphasizing the importance of considering both anatomical and pathological factors when evaluating patients and treatment outcomes.

This lecture was presented on August 8th at Northeastern University. (2026)

This lecture was presented at the Chiari Research Open House at Northeastern University on August 8th. (2026)

Connect with Us:
Facebook: Facebook.com/bobbyjonescsf
Twitter: Twitter.com/bobbyjonescsf
Instagram: http://instagram/bobbyjonescsf