hans chiari

Similarities, Signs and Symbols in September

September serves as a focal month for raising awareness about neurological and developmental conditions, highlighting Chiari Malformation, Hydrocephalus, and Spina Bifida, with the goal of education, early diagnosis, research funding, and community support.

Chiari Awareness Month
Chiari Awareness Month runs throughout September each year, including 2026 from 1 September to 30 September. It is dedicated to raising awareness of Chiari malformation, a condition in which part of the brain, particularly the cerebellum, descends into the spinal canal, leading to symptoms such as headaches, balance difficulties, numbness, weakness, and sleep disruption. The month is championed by organizations such as Conquer Chiari and the Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation, with support from healthcare professionals and patients.

Raising awareness is crucial because diagnosis is often delayed due to symptom overlap with conditions like migraines, and research funding remains limited. Activities include community walks, educational campaigns, wearing purple, fundraising for research, and lighting landmarks in purple. Chiari Awareness Month also emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and support for affected individuals.

World Hydrocephalus Day
World Hydrocephalus Day is observed annually on September 20 and forms part of Hydrocephalus Awareness Month, also in September. Hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, potentially causing developmental issues, neurological complications, or life-threatening conditions.

The day aims to unite families, healthcare providers, and advocacy groups worldwide to increase visibility, share educational resources, and support affected individuals. Awareness efforts focus on enabling earlier diagnosis and improved treatment options, given that treatments such as shunts or endoscopic procedures are essential to manage the condition. Participating in social media campaigns, supporting research, and sharing patient stories are key ways to contribute.

Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Awareness Month is also observed in September, highlighting a birth defect where the spinal column does not close properly during early fetal development, leading to varying degrees of disability, including mobility challenges and potential complications related to the nervous system. The observance encourages public education, research funding, and support for affected individuals and families. Activities typically include fundraising events, social media campaigns, educational workshops, and community engagement to reduce stigma and promote early intervention.

Overall Significance
These September Socials share key goals:

Education: Informing the public and families about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options.

Early Diagnosis: Raising awareness of subtle or often-misdiagnosed presentations.

Research and Funding: Encouraging donations and investment into understanding the underlying causes and improving therapies.

Community Support: Creating solidarity among patients, caregivers, and advocates to improve quality of life.

Cultural Recognition: Using symbols (e.g., purple for Chiari, ribbons for Spina Bifida) to visually promote awareness and encourage conversation.

By uniting awareness campaigns in September, these observances amplify visibility for conditions that are frequently under-recognized yet significantly impact individuals’ daily lives and long-term wellbeing.

1st September 2026

Julius Arnold

Julius Arnold (1835-1915) was a German pathologist.

His name is affiliated with Type II Chiari malformation (Arnold–Chiari malformation).

With a primary interest in pathology and anatomy, Arnold made contributions in a number of areas, including the anatomy associated with gunshot wounds (1870).

Biography
Born 19 August 1835 Zurich, Germany
Son to German anatomist Freidrich Arnold (1803-1890)
Studied under Rudolf Virchow and Nikolaus Freidrich in Heidelberg
Later became Professor of Anatomy at Heidelberg
Died 3 February 1915

Medical associations
Arnold–Chiari malformation (1894) – Type II Chiari malformation associated with myelomeningocele
Friedrich-Erb-Arnold syndrome [aka Uehlinger syndrome; Pachydermoperiostosis or primary hypertropic osteoarthropathy] Characterized by pachydermia (thickening of the facial skin and/or scalp); digital clubbing; and periostosis (swelling of periarticular tissue).

Key Medical Attributions:
In 1894 Arnold described his pathological post-mortem findings of an infant with herniation of the cerebellar tonsils and 4th ventricle through the foramen magnum. The infant also had spina bifida. The similarities between this and the findings of Hans Chiari lead to this being named the ‘Arnold-Chiari Malformation‘. Alternatively known as Chiari malformation II.
The findings Chiari had previously described involved brainstem herniation with associated spina bifida. However, the infant in that case had associated hydrocephalus, which was not the case with Arnold’s findings.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Arnold

https://litfl.com/julius-arnold/

24th September 2025

Hans Chiari (1851-1916) was an Austrian pathologist. He is named after and affiliated with the Chiari malformations; Type II Chiari malformation (Arnold–Chiari malformation) and Budd–Chiari syndrome (1899).

Biography
Born November 4, 1851 in Vienna, Austria
Studied medicine in Vienna and worked as an assistant at the Vienna Institute of Pathology under Karl Rokitansky (1804–1878)
1875 – Graduated medical school from the Unviersity of Vienna
1878 – Habilitated in pathological anatomy in Vienna
1882 – Professor extraordinarius of pathology at the German University in Prague
1883 – Appointed professor ordinarius and superintendent of the pathological-anatomical museum in Prague
1906 – Commenced as professor ordinarius at the University of Strasbourg
Died May 6, 1916 in Strasbourg following a throat infection

Hans Chiari published a case series of three patients with hepatic vein thrombosis, and a literature review of seven additional patients. He named the disease ‘phlebitis obliterans‘, and postulated that the thrombosis was a complication of endo-phlebitis likely from syphilis. Lange postulated an inflammatory process in hepatic vein thrombosis prior, in 1886.

Chiari published across a wide range of pathology, including malformations of the brainstem and cerebellum, hepatic vein thrombosis, aortooesophageal fistula, choriocarcinoma, carotid artery plaques and thrombosis, autodigestion of the pancreas, and connections between the eustachian and thebesian heart valves.

Pathology of showed congested and necrotic livers, porto-mesenteric circulation congestion, large volume ascites, and minimal adventitial reaction without perivascular involvement on histology. Chiari provided the first clinical and pathological correlations of this syndrome.

Chiari malformations – abnormalities of the brain stem and cerebellum identified by Chiari on post-mortems. Type 1 (1891) – peg-like elongation of the cerebellar tonsils into the spinal canal through the foramen magnum; Type 2 aka Arnold Chiari malformation and Type 3 and 4.

Chiari network – mobile net-like connections between the valve of the coronary sinus and the valve of the inferior vena cava. An anatomical variant, usually of no clinical significance.