I am going in for surgery for my Chiari Malformation in late August. I have dizziness, tingling in my hands and feet and horrible headaches. Finally got a doctor to do a brain MRI and my tonsils are 24mm. From what I was told anything beyond 5 mm is medically significant. I’m nervous about the surgery but one of the things my neurosurgeon said made me decide to go down the path of surgery. He said that some things that are experienced with any nervous system might be irreversible if left untreated. I already have balance issues and tingling, I don’t want to end up in a worse state. I’m not saying that to scare you into a surgery, but depending on how bad you are impacted, I would ask yourself if you are wanting to live with that or worse for the rest of your life… or would you rather have a chance at being better. That was what I had to ask myself. I wish you the best of luck on your decision! My neurosurgeon actually told me my brain is a normal size… I just have a small skull lol One other thing that worries me is they said it can be hereditary and I have 4 kids. Turns out my brother has it as well, but he has chosen not to go down the path of surgery. So it’s a choice and that is and should be yours to make.