Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia (also known as hydromyelia) is the formation of a fluid-filled cyst (or syrinx) within your spinal cord. Syringomyelia cyst can enlarge over time, destroying the spinal cord, causing weakness, loss of feeling, paralysis, and stiffness; among others. Syringomyelia has several possible causes with the majority of cases being associated with a condition in which brain […] Read More
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Syringomyelia
- Paralysis.
- Abnormally curved spine (scoliosis).
- Chronic pain (resulting from spinal cord damage).
- Motor difficulties such as weakness and stiffness in your leg muscles.
- Trauma.
- Chiari malfunction.
- Spinal cord tumors.
- Hemorrhages (bleeding).
- Congenital spinal cord problems.
- Meningitis (spinal cord membrane infection).
- Arachnoiditis (inflamed and scarred spinal cord membranes).
- Medical history.
- A complete physical examination.
- An MRI of your spine and spinal cord.
- CT scan.
- Surgery
- To treat Chiari’s malfunction.
- Removing the obstruction.
- Draining the syrinx.
- Correcting the abnormality.
- Medications
- Piroxicam.
- Naproxen.
- Ibuprofen.
- Indomethacin.
- Mefenamic acid.
- Acetylsalicylic acid.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Syringomyelia might likely affect your back, shoulders, arms, or legs. They include:
- Paralysis.
- Headaches.
- Loss of reflexes.
- Muscle weakness.
- Muscle wasting (atrophy).
- Abnormal or loss of sensation.
- Bowel control problems.
- Abnormal body temperature.
- Spinal curvature (scoliosis).
- Stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, and legs.
- Pain in the legs, arms, back, and neck.
- Loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature.
- Neuropathic arthropathy.
- Loss of sensory fibers to the joints.
- Facial pain and numbness.
Causes
WHAT CAUSES SYRINGOMYELIA?
Several conditions and diseases can cause syringomyelia, including:
- Chiari Malformation
This is a condition in which the brain protrudes into your spinal cord. It can result in Chiari with syrinx.
- Spinal Cord Tumor
It can interfere with the normal circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Meningitis
This is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Congenital Conditions
These include a tethered spinal cord (a condition in which the tissue attached to your spinal cord limits its movements).
- Spinal Cord Injury
It can cause symptoms months or years later.
SYMPTOMS OF SYRINGOMYELIA
In some cases, Syringomyelia may be triggered up by coughing or straining, although they are not the causes of Syringomyelia.
FAQ
What are the symptoms of syringomyelia?
The common signs of syringomyelia include pain in the neck and shoulders, muscle weakness, pain and stiffness in the legs, numbness or decreased sensation (especially to heat and cold), abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis), muscle contractions, and uncoordinated movements (ataxia).
Can syringomyelia go away?
Untreated syringomyelia (syrinx) tends to expand over time, though some remain stable or even disappear. Unfortunately, it is not always clear which course a syrinx will follow.
How is syringomyelia treated?
If syringomyelia is causing signs and symptoms that interfere with your normal daily activities, or if these symptoms gradually worsen, your doctor will likely recommend surgery.
The goal of a surgical operation is to remove the pressure the syrinx enforces on your spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
How serious is syringomyelia?
Syringomyelia is a disorder in which a fluid-filled cyst (known as a cyst) forms within the spinal cord. Over time, the syrinx can get bigger and can damage the spinal cord and compress and injure the nerve fibers that carry information to the brain, and from the brain to the rest of the body.
Can syringomyelia be cured?
There is no present cure for syringomyelia. NSAIDs are common analgesics used to manage the condition. Surgery may remove the syrinx, but follow-up with periodic MRI is needed to ensure no reoccurrence.