Our New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawyers Investigate the Chiari Institute and Malformation Surgery

The Locks Law Firm and Goldsmith Ctorides & Rodriguez, LLP are currently investigating the Chiari Institute in Great Neck, New York on Long Island for claims of unnecessary surgeries and experimental surgeries performed on children and adults without informed consent relating to the Chiari Malformation. Please explore the frequently asked questions about the Chiari Malformation below, and contact our Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York medical malpractice lawyers if you have a relevant story or claim against the Chiari Institute.

• What is the Chiari Malformation?
• What is a Tethered Cord?
• Is the Chiari Malformation related to a Tethered Cord?
• What is Tethered Cord Surgery?
• What is the Negligence?
• Who May Have a Case?

What is the Chiari Malformation?

A Chiari Malformation (CM) is a structural defect in the part of the brain responsible for balance, the cerebellum. In this defect, the brain tissue protrudes into the spinal canal. It can occur when the lower rear of the skull is smaller than normal and thus applies pressure on the brain. There are three types of Chiari Malformation, Type 1, Type 2 (or Arnold-Chiari malformation) and Type 3. Chiari Malformations can range from non-symptomatic to paralysis-causing. They can also be associated with hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, and spinal curvature.

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What is a Tethered Cord?

In normal anatomy, the spinal cord is tethered to the spine in the lower back region by a thin piece of filament. The spinal cord can also be abnormally tethered when it connects to the base of the spine, and a point below the lower back.

Is the Chiari Malformation related to a Tethered Cord?

There is currently no scientifically proven evidence that there is a relationship between tethered cord and the Chiari Malformation.

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What is Tethered Cord Surgery?

An abnormally tethered cord can be surgically corrected through a minimal incision without removing any portion of the vertebra, as reported in the medical literature. Some surgeons remove a portion of the laminae of only one vertebrae when performing this accepted corrective procedure.

However, surgeons at the Chiari Institute on Long Island are performing a surgical procedure in which they remove the laminae of one vertebrae and portions of two additional vertebrae as a means to treat the Chiari Malformation. Our Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York medical malpractice lawyers are investigating allegations that this may be an experimental procedure.

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What is the Negligence?

1. Unnecessary Surgery
   There is no evidence that we can ascertain to date that this tethered cord surgery is an effective means to treat the Chiari Malformation. The Chiari Institute may be performing medically unnecessary and unusual tethered cord surgeries as far as we can determine at this point.
2. Unapproved Experiment
   Any time any physician in the United States performs an experimental procedure, it must be presented to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The Chiari Institute may not have properly presented this procedure as far as we can ascertain.
3. No Informed Consent
   Chiari Institute is performing these experimental surgeries without first obtaining informed consent from its patients, as required by law.

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Who May Have a Case?

Our New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers are currently representing two groups of patients:

1. Those who have been operated on for tethered cord and have been told that they did not have a reason for the surgery.
2. Those individuals who avoided surgery after being informed through a second opinion that it was unnecessary, even though the Chiari Institute recommended it.

If you fall into any of the following categories of people, we would like hear your story:

• Patients who had surgery at the Chiari Institute but did not sign a consent to enter into a research protocol.
• Any family who signed a consent to have research done on a patient at the Chiari Institute.
• Any family interested in Tethered Cord surgery or the Chiari Malformation who has had contact with the Chiari Institute.

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In the News

• Suspensions extended for brain surgeons who stranded patient in operating room, says hospital
• Family sues North Shore University Hospital, neurosurgeons for 'experimenting' on kid
• Brain surgeons Thomas Milhorat, Paolo Bolognese suspended for abandoning anesthetized patient in OR
• State's highest-paid surgeon steps down after leaving patient on table in brain surgery no-show

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Contact the Locks Law Firm

If you would like to schedule a free consultation or learn more about the Chiari Malformation investigation, contact the Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at the Locks Law Firm.

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