A teenager with "brain too big for skull"

My 17 year old has a good friend who had a severe sudden loss of coordination last Thursday. He was hospitalized and his Mom was told that his brain was too large for his skull. They did several MRIs and did not find any tumors etc. They sent him home and according to my daughter they are going to do surgery on Tuesday. It sounds like they are going to enlarge the foramen magum. I have been a RN for a long time but not peds and not neuro. Anyone with any info I would really appreciate it. My daughter thought they said it was called charia class II?

Anybody?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Sounds like hydrocephalus to me - but what's the cause?

[mommatrauma, RN]

Sounds like Hydro related to Arnold Chiari malformation type 2...give me a few and i'll find you a link

[mommatrauma, RN]

ACM

I guess my question is..does he have spina bifida?

[rnphd2b]

ACM

I guess my question is..does he have spina bifida?

As always the folks on allnurses.com are great. He does indeed have ACM. He will have surgery tomorrow. I am going to be with the Mom this AM to listen to the neurologist and help her sort things out.

Thanks again for the rapid response and accurate information .

:)

[prmenrs, RN]

allnurses comes thru again, and in record time! 17 MINUTES!!!

Thanks, mommatrauma!

[mommatrauma, RN]

As always the folks on allnurses.com are great. He does indeed have ACM. He will have surgery tomorrow. I am going to be with the Mom this AM to listen to the neurologist and help her sort things out.

Thanks again for the rapid response and accurate information .

:)

You are welcome..I used to do pediatric private duty home care. The kid I took care of had spina bifida and ACM...so it sounded familiar to me...glad I could help, hope all goes well with the surgery!

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Please let us know how this turns out. I will pray for the patient and family. I am sure she appreciates your support and kindness.