The Filum System^® stops the progression of Arnold-Chiari I syndrome

Published by ICSEB at 6 October, 2023

The Filum Disease and the Neuro-Cranio-Vertebral Syndrome can be expressed by various radiological signs, among which is the descent of the cerebellar tonsils below the foramen magnum, also called Arnold-Chiari I Syndrome.

When Dr. M. B. Royo Salvador’s neurosurgical team applies the surgical protocol of the Filum System® method to a patient with Arnold-Chiari I syndrome, the objective of the surgery is to eliminate the cause of the disease, thus stopping its evolution, both in terms of signs and symptoms.

In addition to blocking the descent of the cerebellar tonsils, sectioning the Filum Terminale ligament releases the traction that affects the entire nervous system, thus allowing the recovery of tissues, functions and injuries that are reversible at the time of the surgery.

If, after surgery, the body presents some characteristics of elasticity and organic factors that allow the recovery of the most appropriate anatomical position, it has been proved that in certain cases the cerebellar tonsils tend to ascend towards the foramen magnum.

In our Institute’s caseload, this ascent is observed in some cases 1-2 years after surgery, while in others throughout the first 5-10 postoperative years (Fig. 1).

To our Doctors, the fact that the ascent of the cerebellar tonsils and the clinical improvements experienced by patients are obtained by means of an indirect surgical action performed in a different anatomical area, is a further confirmation that the cause of the disease has been eliminated. The disease is no longer active, nor is the traction force exerted on the spinal cord, brain stem, and spine.

For this reason, after 30 years of excellent results, we can confirm that the Filum System® treatment stops the progression of Arnold-Chiari I syndrome, together with the disappearance or improvement of its subjective symptoms, the satisfactory recovery of objective neurological signs and, in some cases, also the partial or total recovery of the anatomical position of the cerebellar tonsils. The patient’s quality of life improves significantly in the short, medium or long term

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