What is Arnold-Chiari Syndrome?
Arnold-Chiari syndrome is a defect in the formation of the cerebellum (the small, bottom portion of the brain) and brainstem. This defect can prevent the passage of blood from the brain into the spinal canal. Arnold-Chiari syndrome is usually accompanied by a myelomeningocele, which is a form of spina bifida . There are four types of Chiari Syndrome, with different degrees of severity. Type 2 is the one that is associated with spina bifida.