Syringomyelia

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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

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 tissue protrudes into the spinal canal. Among the possible causes also are spinal cord tumors, spinal cord injuries, and damages caused by inflammation around the spinal cord. COMPLICATIONS OF SYRINGOMYELIA Complications may arise as a syrinx enlarges or if it damages nerves within your spinal cord.  Possible complications include:
  • Paralysis.
  • Abnormally curved spine (scoliosis).
  • Chronic pain (resulting from spinal cord damage).
  • Motor difficulties such as weakness and stiffness in your leg muscles.
RISK FACTORS OF SYRINGOMYELIA
  • Trauma.
  • Chiari malfunction.
  • Spinal cord tumors.
  • Hemorrhages (bleeding).
  • Congenital spinal cord problems.
  • Meningitis (spinal cord membrane infection).
  • Arachnoiditis (inflamed and scarred spinal cord membranes).
DIAGNOSIS OF SYRINGOMYELIA Your doctor will carry out a diagnosis with the following:
  • Medical history.
Your thorough medical history, including your medications (former and present), will be checked.
  • A complete physical examination.
  • An MRI of your spine and spinal cord.
If a syrinx has developed within your spinal cord, your doctor will be able to view it on the MRI. In some cases, a specialist will inject a dye into a blood vessel in your groin, which travels through blood vessels to your spine and reveals tumors or other abnormalities. MRI scan will be repeated over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.
  • CT scan.
This uses x-rays to create a detailed view of the spine and spinal cord. It can reveal tumors or other spine disorders. SYRINGOMYELIA TREATMENT Treatment depends on the severity and progression of the signs and symptoms of syringomyelia.  Sometimes, monitoring with periodic MRI scans and neurological examine all that you need to arrest the condition if syringomyelia is not showing any signs and symptoms.  If the syringomyelia shows any signs that interfere with your life, and they are gradually worsening, your doctor may likely recommend a surgical option.
  1. Surgery
The goal of having a surgical operation is to ease the pressure which the syrinx is putting on your spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When this is done, your symptoms and nervous system will improve.  The type of surgery carried out depends on the specific cause of syringomyelia. Surgery options include:
  • To treat Chiari’s malfunction.
A small section of bone at the back of your skull is surgically removed. This can reduce pressure on your brain and spinal cord, restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and might improve or resolve syringomyelia.
  • Removing the obstruction.
If something within your spinal cord (such as a tumor or a bony growth) is hindering the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgical removal of the obstruction might restore the flow and allow fluid to drain from the syrinx.
  • Draining the syrinx.
A shunt will be surgically inserted to drain the fluid from the syrinx. With the drainage of the syrinx, syringomyelia symptoms are reduced.
  • Correcting the abnormality.
With surgery, a spinal abnormality is corrected to restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and allow the syrinx to drain. Sometimes, syringomyelia can reoccur after surgery. Regular exams are needed, including MRIs, to assess the outcome of the surgery. Follow-up care is essential and should not be overlooked.
  1. Medications
NSAIDs are commonly used in analgesics in patients with syringomyelia. The commonly used drugs include the below:
  1. Piroxicam.
  2. Naproxen.
  3. Ibuprofen.
  4. Indomethacin.
  5. Mefenamic acid.
  6. Acetylsalicylic acid.
These can be purchased over the counter (in pharmacies and outlets), although following your doctor’s prescription. CONCLUSION The prognosis of syringomyelia depends on the underlying causes, the extent of neurological dysfunction, and the location and extension of the syrinx. Patients suffering from moderate or severe neurological conditions experience poor outcomes when compared to patients with mild conditions.

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.