Chiari and Syringomyelia Australia

20/03/2026

Some humour

12/03/2026

Join Us Virtually at Converge 2026!

Can’t make it in person? No problem! You can still be part of Converge 2026 from the comfort of your home.

Virtual tickets are now available for our POTS community as well as practitioners.

Stay connected with:
• Inspiring presentations
• Expert panels
• Community discussions

Plus, you will have access to presentation recordings shortly after the event so you can view at your leisure

Grab your virtual ticket today: www.apfconference.com.au

Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and be part of the conversation — wherever you are!

27/02/2026

𝐑𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚
The 28th of February is a day to raise awareness for rare diseases. A rare disease impacts fewer than 1 in 2000 people. Syringomyelia is found in ~ 𝟖 𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 so definitely meets the criteria of a rare disorder.

Our disorder may be rare but around 8% of Australians suffer some form of rare disease so awareness is crucial.

Info: https://www.rarediseaseday.org

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚

www.chiariaustralia.com.au

💙

04/02/2026

01/02/2026

Chiari I Malformation: Review and Update of Current Treatment Options:

With a total of 108 articles this review has allowed some synthesis of the treatment options for Chiari. The standard posterior fossa or “Chiari Decompression” still remaining the gold standard with individualised changes when comorbid conditions like hydrocephalus, cervical instabilities,
And ventral brainstem is noted.

Minimally invasive surgeries are still being investigated and showing promise for offering alternative options in hopefully the near future.

Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41586467/

www.chiariaustralia.com.au

31/01/2026

Research Update | Jan 2026

Report on 510 Pediatric Surgical Patients Provides Valuable Data for Parents

PDF version: https://www.conquerchiari.org/library/index/click/866

28/01/2026

Research Update | Jan 2026

Largest Chiari Pregnancy Study To Date With Over 2000 Patients

PDF version: https://www.conquerchiari.org/library/index/click/865

25/01/2026

🔥 Just published: A new paper by Dr. Blitshteyn and Dr. Grubb in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research where the authors emphasized, based on their experience and expertise, that distress in patients with POTS are driven predominantly by ineffective healthcare and not patients' attitude. This paper was in response to a UK study that suggested that patients with POTS need to be treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy because they were distressed. As a counterpoint to the study's conclusion, Dr. Blitshteyn and Dr. Grubb argued that there is a great need to treat patients with POTS with medications targeted to reduce autonomic symptoms, which then results in reduced disability and distress.

Read full paper here: 👇
https://t.co/xFnY0QGhPr

25/01/2026

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
This retrospective study looking at 241 patients and the Cilvoaxial angle (which can be a marker of brainstem compression) found the posterior fossa decompression did not cause an exacerbation in the CXA. This mean the Chiari decompression didn’t cause an increased risk for those with Complex Chiari/Chiari 1.5 and remains the gold-standard first-line treatment even with complex cases.

This helps for those whose CXA isn’t too low or at a borderline level to decide whether to add fusion or stick to the more conservative approach. As it seems unlikely to worsen due to the doing the decompression first/only.

Ref: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41569659/
𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚

www.chiariaustralia.com.au
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21/01/2026

Syringomyelia is an uncommon condition, affecting around 8 in every 100,000 people.* It is often linked to Chiari malformations or previous spinal injury, which is why understanding its prevalence can support timely recognition and referral. Macquarie Neurosurgery & Spine provides care for complex spinal and craniovertebral conditions, supported by active research and specialist clinical experience. 🔍

Learn more about syringomyelia and related conditions on our website.
🌐 https://mqneurosurgery.com.au/syringomyelia/.

* Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6126-syringomyelia

All information provided by Macquarie Neurosurgery & Spine is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Neurosurgical conditions and treatment options vary between patients. Please consult a qualified health professional to discuss your specific symptoms, diagnosis and care needs.

19/01/2026

FULL MOVIE — “POTS: An Invisible Illness”This mini-documentary, directed by Stiry, explores the profound challenges faced by individuals living with Postural...

12/01/2026

🚨 New state-of-the-art review on POTS from an international multidisciplinary group of specialists led by Dr. Dennis Lau and Australian POTS Foundation and including physicians specializing in POTS from the United States, Canada, Sweden and UK. Dr. Blitshteyn is a co-author. Read free article here:
👇
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1443950625016543