Chiari i Malformation in Patients with Pfeiffer Syndrome: important Aspects of Preoperative imaging

Chiari I malformation may not be congenital, but may be acquired as a consequence of skull deformities and other associated intracranial factors in patients with craniosynostosis. Pfeiffer syndrome is one of the many conditions associated with Chiari I malformation. Premature fusion of multiple cranial sutures and cloverleaf skull (kleeblattschädel deformity) are often observed in the calvaria of patients with Pfeiffer syndrome. This report is of a male infant, with Pfeiffer syndrome who was noted to have progressive Chiari I malformation, with classical imaging features illustrated. Important aspects of preoperative imaging will be discussed, with a brief review of literature.