Tiger Woods' former mistress to have her brain lifted off skull cavity during surgery to fix spine condition

  • Rachel Uchitel was allegedly diagnosed with Chiari malformation this year
  • 40-year-old was believed to be having an affair with the golf star in 2010
  • Thought to be having surgery to correct the problem in the next two weeks

By Lydia Willgress for MailOnline

Published: 05:11 EST, 5 September 2015 | Updated: 08:31 EST, 5 September 2015

Tiger Woods' former mistress is preparing to have her brain lifted off her skull cavity as part of surgery to fix her spine condition, it has been claimed.

Rachel Uchitel, who was romantically linked to the golf star in 2010 after being photographed entering his room, has been suffering from back pain for years. 

The 40-year-old was allegedly diagnosed with Chiari, which causes lower parts of the brain to be pushed towards the spinal cord, earlier this year.

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Tiger Woods' former mistress is preparing to have her brain lifted off her skull cavity as part of surgery to fix her spine condition
Rachel Uchitel (pictured), who was romantically linked to the golf star in 2010 after being photographed entering his room, has been suffering from back pain for years

Rachel Uchitel (right), who was romantically linked to Tiger Woods (left) in 2010 after being photographed entering his room, has been suffering from back pain for years and will now undergo major brain surgery

It is believed the American nightclub manager will have surgery in two weeks, TMZ reports.

There is a 50 per cent chance the operation, which will see doctors cut a bit from the skull in a bid to change where the brain sits, will help her chronic back pain.

Ms Uchitel made headlines in 2010 as one of the golfer's alleged 11 mistresses.

At the time, it was widely rumoured that a £6million commercial settlement was reached to stop her speaking about it.

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, pictured together, divorced in 2010 after details of the alleged affairs emerged

Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren, pictured together, divorced in 2010 after details of the alleged affairs emerged

The reality TV personality was engulfed in scandal again in 2011 when it emerged she had a fling with Bones star David Boreanaz while his wife Jaime Bergman was pregnant with their second child. 

She also appeared in the fourth season of Celebrity Rehab, which depicted her struggle with her own drug addiction.

Ms Uchitel went on to marry Matthew Hahn in 2011. The couple had their first child - Wyatt Lily - in May 2012. 

But the marriage did not last and Mr Hahn filed for divorce in June 2013. It was finalised in January last year. 

A representative for Ms Uchitel has been contacted by MailOnline for comment but has not yet replied.  

A MALFORMATION THAT FORCES THE BRAIN INTO THE SPINAL CORD 

A Chiari malformation is when the lower parts of the brain have been pushed down towards the spinal cord.   

There are three types, which differ in terms of seriousness and symptoms. 

Typical signs to look out include headaches, neck pain, dizziness, numbness, hearing loss and blurred vision.

Surgery is usually the best form of treatment. Sufferers can opt for decompression surgery - when doctors remove a small piece of bone from the base of the skull - or a spinal laminectomy - the removal of a piece of bone from the top of the spine.

Most people find their symptoms improve after the surgery, but sometimes it can lead to no improvements.  

It is thought around 1 in 1,000 people suffer from the malformation.  

Source: NHS Choices

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