Comparison of Dural Splitting and Duraplasty in Patients with Chiari Type I Malformation: Relationship between Tonsillo-Dural Distance and Syrinx Cavity.

To compare the clinical and radiological results of dural splitting and duraplasty in patients with Chiari Type I Malformation.This study includes 113 adult patients with Chiari Type I malformation treated between 2009 and 2013. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical method (Group 1: dural splitting, Group 2: duraplasty). Neurological examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were recorded periodically on 3rd, 6th,and 12th months at the postoperative period. The tonsillo-dural distance (TDD) and regression rate of the syrinx cavity were measured on T1 and T2 weighted sagittal MRI scans at the postoperative period.The ratio of syrinx regression was %49.6 in the Group 1 and %54.6 in the Group 2. This result was statistically significant. The TDD increased in Group 2 and this result was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Postoperative pain and numbness decreased in both groups and no statistically significant difference was detected.There was no relationship between tonsillar herniation length and the width of syringomyelic cavity. The syrinx cavity more regressed in the group 2 than group 1. There was no relation between the TDD and the ratio of syrinx regression.