[Autonomic nervous system disorders in 230 cases of basilar impression and Arnold-Chiari deformity].

Abstract

Within the period of 1971 to 1989 we operated on 230 cases of craniocervical malformations characterised by 189 cases of basilar impression associated with Arnold-chiari malformation, 28 cases of isolated basilar impression and 13 cases of Arnold-Chiari malformation. Autonomic disturbance was observed in 136 (59.1%) cases: sexual disorders like reduced potency and impotency were observed in 86 (60.9%) out of 141 male patients, urinary symptoms in 39 (17%) patients; and other autonomic features like dyspnea, anhidrosis, hyperhidrosis, Claude Bernard-Horner syndrome and constipation in 41 (17.8%) patients.