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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does MRI Showing Brain Positioned Low Mean?

Hi! Yes. What are the possible meanings for an MRI finding to show that the brain is positioned low. That was all the oncologist said ( breast cancer survivor and I had been experiencing dizziness since chemo) and said to go to a neurologist after the MRI showed that the brain was positioned low. Any thoughts??
Thu, 24 May 2018
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Of course it would be useful to have the report, but my guess would be that it refers to a malformation in the brain called the Chiari malformation, in which the brain stem or cerebellum are placed lower than normally, in the foramen magnum which is the canal connecting the skull to the spine.

It is a very common malformation. In many cases it causes no symptoms and one can lead a normal life. In some cases though when the displacement is too severe there can be headaches or neurological deficits from brain stem compression. As I said without the report one can't say how many millimeters the displacement is. If it's not marked and the neurologist doesn't find any neurological deficit than it is a coincidental finding and nothing needs to be done about it.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Does MRI Showing Brain Positioned Low Mean?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Of course it would be useful to have the report, but my guess would be that it refers to a malformation in the brain called the Chiari malformation, in which the brain stem or cerebellum are placed lower than normally, in the foramen magnum which is the canal connecting the skull to the spine. It is a very common malformation. In many cases it causes no symptoms and one can lead a normal life. In some cases though when the displacement is too severe there can be headaches or neurological deficits from brain stem compression. As I said without the report one can t say how many millimeters the displacement is. If it s not marked and the neurologist doesn t find any neurological deficit than it is a coincidental finding and nothing needs to be done about it. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.