Arnold - Chiari type II malformation (clinical case)

Using the example of Arnold - Chiari syndrome type II, the difficulties arising in the early diagnosis of this congenital pathology and further tactics of newborn management and surgical correction of the defect are demonstrated. In the presented clinical case, during prenatal ultrasound diagnostics, it was possible to identify a severe malformation of the central nervous system - Chiari malformation - at an early stage. The parents' refusal to terminate the pregnancy and its prolongation ended with delivery by caesarean section. In the postnatal period, the diagnosis of congenital Arnold - Chiari syndrome type II was confirmed, symptomatic treatment was performed and the child was referred for neurosurgical correction, which is the only method to avoid death and severe disability. It should be noted that the forecast for a full and high-quality life remains very dubious due to the high probability of a child's disability.