Cristina Ruocco. Neuro-Cranio-Vertebral Syndrome. Filum Disease. Descent of the Cerebellar Tonsils (Arnold-Chiari I Syndrome), Cervical Kyphosis.

Published by ICSEB at 7 March, 2025

Surgery date: 19/10/2021
Testimony date: 19/2/2025

Good morning,

My name is Cristina and I am 48 years old. Since childhood, I have always suffered from headaches and photophobia. At the age of 20, I had my first neurological consultations due to vertigo problems and a vision disorder that severely limited me, constantly causing distorted visual images. Since then, my struggle began, searching for a doctor who could understand the cause of these symptoms.
Everyone told me that the brain MRI showed nothing and that it was probably an anxiety disorder. Gradually, over the years, my health worsened and other symptoms were added, such as leg pain and lack of muscle strength in my arms, which forced me to take painkillers almost daily.

At the same time, I underwent other MRIs, all with negative reports. At the age of 44, I repeated the brain MRI in another city because cognitive disorders were also added to the clinical picture: often, while speaking, I couldn’t remember words and couldn’t understand what others were saying. One day, I even forgot what year it was. I thought a tumour had formed in my brain.
In this last MRI, after more than twenty years, they finally reported a descent of the cerebellar tonsils. I received no help from the Italian neurosurgeons I consulted. On the contrary, they only humiliated me and offered no understanding.

Now, after 4 years of the Terminal Filum section surgery, I can consider myself reborn. I can finally read a book, do sports, speak better, and concentrate on everything. Most importantly, I almost no longer need to take pain medication. I only occasionally take Paracetamol for headaches, which are much milder compared to the past.

I can only be eternally grateful to the entire medical and paramedical team at the Institute, as their help is finally allowing me to live with dignity.

Once again, thank you for everything.

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