{"id":15810,"date":"2025-06-18T08:43:35","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T06:43:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.institutchiaribcn.com\/?page_id=15810"},"modified":"2026-01-19T13:19:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T12:19:26","slug":"medical-health-related-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/institutchiaribcn.com\/en\/medical-health-related-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical health related questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Medical-health related questions<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Institut Chiari & Siringomielia & Escoliosis de Barcelona<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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1.1 DIAGNOSIS\n\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1.1.1 Can you confirm an Arnold-Chiari Type I \/ Idiopathic Syringomyelia \/ Idiopathic Scoliosis diagnosis? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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In order to confirm one or several of these diagnoses, you should do and send us the following complementary test results:
MRI of the cranio-cervical region
MRI of the thoracic spine
MRI of the lumbosacral spine
Scoliogram (X-ray of the entire spine on one film, profile and front view)
Once you have the tests and the reports, you can send them through the Internet. We recommend sending your medical files in .zip or .rar format, uploading them to the website\u00a0https:\/\/wetransfer.com\/<\/a>. As an alternative, you can send a copy of your CDs and reports to our postal address in Barcelona. We will provide you with our specialists\u2019 preliminary assessment at distance regarding your case, and we will let you know if they indicate and appointment for a diagnostic conclusion.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.2 I have Arnold-Chiari Type I Syndrome \u2013 why do I need MRIs of the thoracic and lumbar spine and a Scoliogram? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Because, according to our studies, this condition tends to be associated to other diseases of the spinal cord and, in order to confirm a diagnosis, our specialists require those test results as well.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.3 What is the meaning of the word \u201cidiopathic\u201d? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Greek\u00a0idios<\/em>\u00a0(one\u2019s own) and\u00a0pathos<\/em>\u00a0(suffering): \u201ca disease of its own kind, that is not related to any other specific condition\u201d.
The term refers to a primary condition, with no other known cause. Until now, a non-secondary Syringomyelia, i.e. not consequence of a trauma or tumour, was considered to be primary or of unknown cause. The same occurred with Scoliosis, when it was not considered to be traumatic, tumorous, congenital, degenerative, or of neuro-muscular origin.
With his theory, Dr. Royo-Salvador explained the origin of both conditions \u2013 an anomalous traction of the filum terminale (a shared etiopathogenic cause).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.4 I have hydrocephalus and Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I \u2013 can I travel by plane? Can you treat my hydrocephalus? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The possibility to travel by plane with this diagnosis depends on each patient\u2019s clinical condition. We recommend to talk to the general practitioner before taking this decision.
Our neurosurgical service can diagnose and treat hydrocephalus, although we do not provide any exclusive or different solution from other neurosurgical services.
If the patient is not from Barcelona, for the hydrocephalus therapy we recommend contacting a medical centre local to the patient\u2019s place of residence, as the ventriculoperitoneal shunting indicated in this case requires a postoperative follow-up that would not be easily carried out at distance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.5 What are the \u201cNeuro-Cranio-vertebral Syndrome\u201d and the \u201cFilum Disease\u201d? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Neuro-Cranio-vertebral Syndrome and the Filum Disease are definitions we use to describe all the clinical expressions related to an anomalous traction of the spinal cord, caused by an overly tense filum terminale. These clinical manifestations may find correspondence with an Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I, an idiopathic Syringomyelia, an idiopathic Scoliosis and other conditions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.6 My Scoliosis curve is more than 40\u00ba-50\u00ba \u2013 will the surgery halt its progression? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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In an idiopathic Scoliosis of more than 40\u00ba, the curve of the spine depends not only on the traction exerted by a tight Filum terminale, but also on the force of gravity.
With the application of the sectioning of the Filum Terminale, the progression of the curve can be halted, but it can also keep worsening, yet in a slower manner than it would without treatment.
In these cases, our medical team will provide the most adequate postoperative indications for each patient: rehabilitation, physical therapy and\/or brace.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.7 As my Scoliosis curve is more than 50\u00ba, orthopaedists and traumatologists indicated a spine fixation. Why and when (before or after) would I have to undergo the sectioning of the Filum Terminale (SFT)? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Our medical team treats idiopathic Scoliosis according to a neurological and neurosurgical perspective. In idiopathic Scoliosis, the tension that occurs within the spinal canal affects the spinal cord. With the application of the SFT it is possible to eliminate the tension and the force exerted by the Filum Terminale, which generates the curves.
This surgery is fundamental. If possible, it is recommended to apply the SFT before the spinal fusion, in order to avoid the risk of paraplegia that the latter entails, since the traction of the spinal cord increases as it is straightened.
Even if the patient has already undergone the fusion procedure, it is convenient to apply the SFT. In fact, this will reduce the traction of the spinal cord caused by a tense filum terminale, which adds to the tension of straightening the vertebral canal.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.8 If I have Scoliosis, why do I need to have a magnetic resonance done? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Our Institut is a neurosurgical centre; it studies and treats Scoliosis in the perspective of the spinal cord within the scoliotic spine. The MRIs are necessary to examine the state of the spinal cord within the vertebrae. The Scoliogram (full spine x-ray), on the other hand, allows examining the bony part of the vertebral column only.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.9 Are these diagnoses rare in children? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Like in adults, the diagnosis of Filum Disease with Arnold-Chiari Syndrome Type I, idiopathic Syringomyelia and\/or idiopathic Scoliosis is not rare in children, in fact it affects far more patients than believed in the past. The diagnosis in children is actually far more difficult than in adults: on one hand, they are still not able to properly describe their symptoms and, on the other, diagnostic MRI is applied exclusively when there is a strong suspicion or given incidental findings related to other conditions and tests, as sedation is required. Hence, the incidence can be even higher than the actual detection rate. At our centre, we have seen and diagnosed more than 250 children (boys and girls) between 0 and 10 years of age and over 70 cases between 0 and 5 years of age with the previously mentioned pathological combinations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.1.10 Can the diagnosis of disc herniations and protrusions be related to the Filum Disease? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The increase in intradiscal pressure, due to the cord traction, may cause the rupture of the annulus fibrosus with minimum physical strains and weights. That is why disc protrusions and herniations are more frequent when associated to the Filum Disease or the Neuro-Cranio-vertebral Syndrome according to the Filum System\u00ae<\/sup> diagnosis.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1.2 INDICATION OF SURGICAL TREATMENT\n\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1.2.1 What should I do when a specialist indicates the application of a surgical treatment? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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The indication for a surgical treatment must be considered after an extensive review of the case and of all factors, such as possible diagnoses and treatments, the patient\u2019s age, quality of life, expectations, etc.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.2.2 When is the application of the Filum System\u00ae surgical protocol recommended in the Filum Disease? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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Once the condition is diagnosed, the application of the surgical treatment is recommended as soon as possible, in order to eliminate the cause and halt the progression of the disease. A diagnosis of Filum Disease implies the existence of a progressive physical deterioration, especially neurological.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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1.2.3 Are there cases of asymptomatic patients with an anatomical expression of the condition (through MRIs and X-rays)? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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In over 3000 first medical consultations at our centre, we have not had a single case of an asymptomatic patient. In the clinical examination or in the medical history, we have always identified signs or symptoms of the disease, of which neither the patient nor their health professionals were aware. In our clinical experience we found different types of circumstances in patients with Filum Disease:
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