ABSTRACT

Respiratory failure in Arnold Chiari Type I Malformation has only rarely been reported. In this case report, an 18-year-old male who had shown acute respiratory failure as a first sign of Arnold Chiari Malformation, was presented. The patient experienced a marked improvement in respiratory insufficiency with surgical decompression of the posterior fossa and noninvasrve intermittent positive pressure support ventilation (NPPv?. This report emphasizes; 1) Patients with respiratory failure not explained by pulmonary pathology should be evaluated for underlying neurological diseases. 2) In such cases, NPPV can be used as a lite saving treatment modality and successfully applied for long-term respiratory support in Arnold Chiari Malformation.