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Management of Fibromyalgia SyndromeManagement of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

JAMA. 2005;293(7):796-797. doi:10.1001/jama.293.7.796-b
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AUTHOR INFORMATION

Letters Section Editor: Robert M. Golub, MD, Senior Editor.

MANAGEMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME

To the Editor: The Clinical Review on management of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) by Dr Goldenberg and colleagues1 omitted 1 major diagnostic and therapeutic modality. Chiari I malformations have been associated with the vague symptoms that lead generalists to classify a patient as having FMS.2 4 A subpopulation of patients who consult with a neurosurgeon is likely to be select, often having unsuccessfully been observed by pain specialists, neurologists, physiatrists, and chiropractors, and told that there is no organic cause for their symptoms. Nevertheless, I believe that it is appropriate for these patients to have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain or cervical spine, which may show that it is not “all in their head” but rather that their brain (or more precisely, the cerebellar tonsil) is down in their spine. Although an appropriate decompression does not eliminate all symptoms, it can profoundly reduce the level of symptoms to a more manageable level. By not including this in the differential diagnosis for FMS symptoms, there is the possibility of missing a treatable condition.

References
Goldenberg DL, Burckhardt C, Crofford L. Management of fibromyalgia syndrome.  JAMA. 2004;2922388-2395
PubMed
Cheng JS, Nash J, Meyer GA. Chiari type I malformation revisited: diagnosis and treatment.  Neurologist. 2002;8357-362
PubMed
Thimineur M, Kitaj M, Kravitz E.  et al.  Functional abnormalities of the cervical cord and lower medulla and their effect on pain: observations in chronic pain patients with incidental mild Chiari I malformation and moderate to severe cervical cord compression.  Clin J Pain. 2002;18171-179
PubMed
Wilke WS. Can fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome be cured by surgery?  Cleve Clin J Med. 2001;68277-279
PubMed

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Goldenberg DL, Burckhardt C, Crofford L. Management of fibromyalgia syndrome.  JAMA. 2004;2922388-2395
PubMed
Cheng JS, Nash J, Meyer GA. Chiari type I malformation revisited: diagnosis and treatment.  Neurologist. 2002;8357-362
PubMed
Thimineur M, Kitaj M, Kravitz E.  et al.  Functional abnormalities of the cervical cord and lower medulla and their effect on pain: observations in chronic pain patients with incidental mild Chiari I malformation and moderate to severe cervical cord compression.  Clin J Pain. 2002;18171-179
PubMed
Wilke WS. Can fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome be cured by surgery?  Cleve Clin J Med. 2001;68277-279
PubMed
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