[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 243 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 243

      Recognizing and promoting awareness of Chiari malformation.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 12, 2009

Mr. Kanjorski submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
      Recognizing and promoting awareness of Chiari malformation.

Whereas Chiari malformation, as recognized by the National Institute of 
        Neurological Disorders and Stroke, includes a complex group of disorders 
        characterized by herniation of the cerebellum;
Whereas the herniated tissue blocks the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid in 
        the brain which can lead to the formation of a cavity within the spinal 
        cord;
Whereas symptoms of Type I Chiari malformation include severe headache, 
        dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, visual disturbances, difficulty 
        swallowing, heart palpitations, sleep apnea, impaired fine motor skills, 
        chronic fatigue, and painful tingling of the hands and feet;
Whereas because of the complex symptomology, patients with Type I Chiari 
        malformation are frequently misdiagnosed;
Whereas Type II Chiari malformation, also called Arnold-Chiari malformation, is 
        usually accompanied by a myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida that 
        occurs when the spinal canal and the backbone do not close before birth, 
        causing the spinal cord to protrude through an opening in the back, 
        which can result in partial or complete paralysis below the spinal 
        opening;
Whereas Type III Chiari malformation, the most serious form, results in severe 
        and often irreversible neurological defects;
Whereas treatment for this disorder is not a certain and definitive path, and 
        medication may ease certain symptoms such as pain, but often surgery is 
        the only treatment available to correct functional disturbances or halt 
        the progression of damage to the central nervous system;
Whereas until recently, Chiari malformation was regarded as a rare condition, 
        but with the increased use of magnetic resonance imaging, the number of 
        reported cases has risen from 200,000 to 2,000,000 Americans;
Whereas new genetic studies support a hereditary tendency with a 
        transmissibility rate of 12 percent; and
Whereas the studies also found that women are three times more likely to be 
        afflicted by the debilitating disorder than men: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the United States House of Representatives 
recognizes the importance of making citizens of the United States aware 
of Chiari malformation and helps promote advocacy for this important 
cause.
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