DIAGNOSTIC-THERAPEUTIC-ASSISTANCE PATH (DTAP)

The Diagnostic - Therapeutic - Assistance Path (DTAP) of the patient with Chiari Malformation and/or Syringomyelia (supposed or confirmed) defines both the access mode to the Health Service and the phases of the Diagnostic-Therapeutic and Assistance Care process, under the current International Guidelines and, if missing, according to the Recommendations shared in Interregional (Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Consortium on Syringomyelia and Chiari Syndrome), National and International level (Consensus Conference, Milano, May 7-9th, 2009 and 11-12th November on Syringomyelia and Chiari Malformation).

Both pathologies require a multidisciplinary approach with a coordinated management of the patient by different experts (neurologists, neurophysiologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, radiologists, spinal surgeons, phoniatrists, physiatrists, neuro-urologists, rheumatologists, pneumologists, psychologists, internists, pain specialists, nurses, social workers) for a prompt diagnosis and for setting up therapeutic programs suitable to the International standards.

The adult patient’s path, with evidence of Chiari Malformation and/or Syringomyelia, starts with the First Neurological Evaluation in the outpatients' department of CRESSC at the CTO Hospital, Torino, Italy at the request of the General Practitioner or Specialist.

The first neurological evaluation at the CRESSC may be followed by instrumental examinations and specialized evaluations in the same day, according to clinical conditions made evident during the neurological visit and in agreement with the diagnostic protocol.

This protocol allows to acquire clinical-anamnestic and instrumental data, essential for the evaluation of the most complex cases, assessed through Collegial Multisciplinary Meetings, held with periodic frequency (fifteen-day).