Question: I have syringohydromyelia in the visualized conus medullaris extending from the region of the tip of the conus medullaris to the level of the mid T11. What is my prognosis?
Answer:
Syringomyelia is a fluid-filled cavity within the cervical spinal cord, sometimes extending into the thoracic cord, and into the brain stem.
Causes of Syringohydromyelia:
- Bony abnormalities at the foramen magnum (the opening through which the spinal cord emerges.
- A deformity called spina bifida (developmental defect)
- Hydocephalus (increased CSF within the skull)
- Tumors
- Trauma
Symptoms of Syringohydromyelia:
- Pain in the upper limbs. It gets aggravated when you exert or cough.
- Skin changes can occur, like ulcerations
- Difficulty in walking
- Wasting of the small muscles of the hand.
- Para paresis
The disease progresses gradually, over several decades. The prognosis is moderate – poor. Prevention of syringohydromyelia is necessary. Sudden deterioration is known to occur, following minor trauma/ injury. So take care to avoid a fall/ injury. Surgical intervention is recommended. Surgical decompression of the foramen magnum sometimes reduces the rate of deterioration.
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Is syringo hydromyelia curable? My father had this condition for almost 8 years and his condition worsened. Earlier, the only affected side was his left foot but now both his feet are slowly affected by this condition. Doctors prescribed him anti-spasm drug. Luckily the affected part of his spine is his lumbar but of course all his lower extremities including his bowel and urine function are affected. His doctors concluded 60 to 40, 50/50 chances of successful operation. Can you suggest other treatment that will slow down the process of syringo?
Is syringomyelia and syringohydromyelia the same thing? I had chiari surgery in 2004 and I had syringohydromyelia on an MRI.I had another MRI in Aug 2009, the syringohydromyelia is still there, and I have been having symptoms. anyway looking at all this I find the 2 to be same. are they?
Syringohydromyelia and syringomyelia are both associated terms, they both are synonymous, it is a cavity filled with fluid in the cervical cord, it may extend to the brain stem.
Causes of syringomyelia are
- Tumors
- Trauma
- Hydrocephalous
- Spinabifida.
The symptoms are; pain in upper limbs, paresthesia of the skin, wasting of muscles, difficulty in walking.