Malformation de Chiari type 1 et sports : à propos de trois cas découverts après apparition de symptômes neurologiques sur le terrain

The development of neurological symptoms in a context of sports activities, if reported, should be followed by complementary morphology tests, potentially leading to the identification of Chiari type 1 malformation. This congenital brain consists in the downward displacement of the cerebellar tonsils and the brain stem through the foramen magnum. We report three clinical cases to increase awareness of the diagnostic circumstances. The first case was a rugby player who lost consciousness during a game after contact without head trauma. The second case was a female handball player suffering from persistent headaches that worsened with the practice of sports; here posterior headache was triggered by certain head movements. The third case was a woman who experienced two episodes of transient tetraparesia related to bicycling. History taking is crucial during sports aptitude consultations. Symptoms of type 1 Chiari malformation include neurological deficits, predominantly posterior headache, and vertigo triggered by certain movements. Brain and spinal cord MRI is the gold standard imaging technique. Confirmation of Chiari type 1 malformation precludes contact sports and activities with a risk of fall. Specialized care is required.