Middelburg resident Lizette Labuschagne has avoided imminent, high-risk brain surgery after recent diagnostic imaging revealed that severe tissue protrusion at the base of her skull had subsided.

Lizette was diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari malformation, a condition in which hindbrain tissue extends into the spinal canal.
The diagnosis was made in April and confirmed in June.

The extension of the brain tissue can cause fluid disruption, which places immense pressure on surrounding structures, like the brainstem.

Few know that the brain also has tonsils, and Lizette’s tonsils started extending downward through the opening at the base of the skull into the upper spine.

When her symptoms started in 2023 with migraines and vertigo, it resulted in Lizette losing consciousness multiple times.
An MRI scan showed nothing was out of place, but things took a drastic turn in June when it was found that a risky operation, which might leave Lizette worse off, seemed inevitable.

A team of surgeons was, however, reluctant to proceed, but follow-up tests confirmed the worst.

Unexpected turnaround in Pretoria

On Tuesday, October 13, she returned to Pretoria for specialised diagnostic X-rays, which clearly showed that the protrusion had subsided.

The X-ray revealed space at the bottom of the skull which was not there days before.

Lizette said the specialist radiologist told her that it was one of three things: “It was either a miracle, due to contortion during scans and X-rays, or the dye fluid that the doctor injected that may have caused upward pressure.”

Both she and her husband believe it was a miracle, dismissing the other two ‘maybes’.

The couple are parents to one daughter.

“It’s not gone,” she told the Observer, but added that the radiologist cannot wait to share the news with the team of surgeons who meet every Thursday to address medical conundrums like Lizette’s.

Community rallies to assist

Medical costs are astronomical and long-term specialist treatment will be required.

“I’ve had the most amazing support,” said Lizette, thanking, among others, the Middelburg Chiropractic Centre, which will schedule free spinal screenings for Middelburg residents tomorrow, October 16.

According to the chiropractic practice, early detection of spinal malformations is helpful in tracing conditions like Lizette’s.

“Though the spinal screenings are free, we humbly ask donations of goodwill for Lizette’s future medical expenses,” a member of the practice told the Observer.

Screenings will include discussions around symptoms and when they started, posture and spinal movement assessments, basic neurological and orthopaedic assessments and treatment plans.

For more information, contact 013 243 3141.

Lizette also has a BackaBuddy campaign running ro raise funds for future medical costs.

Click here to support the BackaBuddy campaign: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/help-lizette-get-her-life-back~2