Syringomyelia is a rare disease where fluid-filled cysts form in the spinal cord, causing symptoms such as back pain and paralysis. It can be caused by an existing brain abnormality or trauma/infection. Treatment depends on severity, with surgery sometimes necessary.
Syringomyelia is a disease in which fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord. These cavities, or cysts, are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and can be detected with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Symptoms of syringomyelia can include back pain, headache, numbness in limbs, and temporary or even permanent paralysis. In humans, this is a rare disease, typically occurring in only a fraction of a percent of the population.
There are two main causes of this disease. It may be due to an existing abnormality present in the patient’s brain, or the disease may result from trauma of some kind, mechanical or due to an infection. In the case of a brain abnormality, this typically takes the form of a Chiari malformation, in which part of the brain protrudes into the spinal canal. When it occurs due to a Chiari malformation, syringomyelia is sometimes accompanied by hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid in the skull causes pressure on the brain. The underlying cause of this form of the disease may have a hereditary element, as it is sometimes seen running in families.
Posttraumatic syringomyelia typically results from a spinal injury or infection. This could be due, for example, to physical trauma such as whiplash from a car accident, damage from a spinal tumor, or a complication of a meningitis infection. In this form of the disease, a cyst can develop in the damaged or infected area of the spinal cord and can cause back pain and other symptoms both immediately after the injury and as a later development months or even years after the event. Cervical syringomyelia is a variation of this form, which can occur after an injury to the chest.
Treatment of syringomyelia depends on the severity of the disease and your doctor’s assessment of how quickly it is progressing. In some cases, the cysts remain small and stable for many years and all that is required is conservative treatment such as pain management. In other cases, the progression of the disease can be extremely rapid and disabling. Syringomyelia surgery is typically performed by a neurosurgeon. The surgery is usually done to correct the underlying condition that caused the cyst to appear, and in some cases it is also necessary to drain the fluid from the cyst before healing can occur.
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