Chiari malformation type I with an associated syrinx presenting as acute central cord syndrome in a child: illustrative case

The authors describe the case of a previously healthy child presenting with acute central cord syndrome and a decline in respiratory effort as the initial presentation of CM-I with a syrinx. Although rare, clinicians should consider CM-I in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients presenting with acute cervical spinal cord injury, especially if imaging does not show spinal fractures. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24829.