What Is Syringomyelia? Read Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What is Syringomyelia or Syringohydromyelia?

The formation of a cavity containing protein rich yellowish fluid not in communication with the central canal of spinal end and without any epithelial lining is called syringomyelia.
The formation of cavity in association with central canal and with epithelial lining is as called hydromyelia.
Syringomyelia may be congenital in origin when it is associated with other developmental defects.
Similar cavity lesions may develop later in life as a sequel of trauma, meningitis or tumors.
No etiology is detected in vast majority of cases.
The cervico-dorsal segment of the spinal cord is most commonly involved but the cyst may extent upwards into the brainstem (syringobulbia) or all way down to the filum terminale.

Symptoms of Syringohydromyelia

Clinical features depend upon the location of the syrinx and its etiology.
In general, the signs and symptoms are those of lower and upper motor involvement along with the characteristic sensory loss.
The common cervico-dorsal syrinx presents with weakness and wasting of small muscles of hands due to compression of the anterior horn cell.
Later on involvement of the long tract- the pyramids (spinothalamic and posterior columns) occur.
Loss of pain and temperature sensation in the hands results in unnoticed burns and injuries.
Extension of the cavity into the brainstem results in lower cranial nerve palsies, nystagmus (rapid shock like movement of eyeball) and autonomic disturbances.

Diagnosis of Syringomyelia

Plain X-ray of spine may show evidence of increase in sagittal diameter in the later and increased inter-pedicle distance in anterior-posterior view.
MRI is the only investigation which directly outlines the cavity and other associated abnormalities.

Management of Syringomyelia

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