Foramen magnum decompression for Chiari I malformation: a procedure not to be underestimated.

Objective: Chiari I malformation may be treated with foramen magnum decompression (FMD). We aim to describe the symptoms with which patients initially present, and to determine the number and type of complications occurring after FMD for Chiari I malformation.

Methods: Retrospective review of medical records for patients who had FMD performed for Chiari I malformation between January 2009 and December 2011.