Chiari malformation type-I (CM-I) is a congenital disorder characterized by caudal displacement of the cerebellar tonsils through the foramen magnum. It usually presents in the second or third decade of life; however, it may be incidentally found on magnetic resonance imaging done for other purposes. A previously asymptomatic Chiari malformation type-I can become symptomatic subsequent to a trivial cervical injury. We describe a case of an 11-year-old girl with near hanging injury where a Chiari malformation type-1 (CM-I) with syringomyelia was incidentally detected on neuroimaging. Despite a difficullt prolonged stay in the hospital, the patient showed a near normal neurological recovery. We emphasize the need for the physician to be sensitized to the potentially disastrous consequences of minor trauma in undetected or asymptomatic congenital spinal anomalies. With increasing detection of such disorders in younger age, the physician should be updated about the basic work-up and appropriate referrals in such cases.

Keywords: Cervical; Children; Chiari Malformation Type-I (CM-I); Minor Trauma; Hanging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spine; Syringomyelia.