IN HR0002

Recognizes September as Chiari Malformation Month in Indiana and promotes advocacy for the condition

Chiari malformation is a complex neurological disorder characterized by herniation of the cerebellum that blocks cerebrospinal fluid circulation and can form cavities in the spinal cord

Type I Chiari malformation causes symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, difficulty swallowing, and chronic fatigue, with patients frequently misdiagnosed due to complex symptomology

Type II Chiari malformation (Arnold-Chiari malformation) typically accompanies myelomeningocele and can result in partial or complete paralysis; Type III is the most serious form with severe irreversible neurological defects

Women are three times more likely to be afflicted than men, with genetic studies showing a 12% hereditary transmissibility rate and increased reported cases due to wider use of magnetic resonance imaging