Syringomyelia

Question 1

Syringomyelia

Define:

Answer 1

a disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms* within the *spinal cord.

This cyst, called a syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord.

Question 2

Syringomyelia

describe:

found:

diagnosed:

Answer 2

• cyst formation within spinal cord

– may expand and elongate -> compresses and damages spinal cord

• most commonly found in cervical spine
• often asymptomatic

– usually found incidentally on MRI

Question 3

Syringomyelia

symptoms:

Answer 3

- affect spinothalamic tract first:

• dyesthetic pain and paraesthesia
• “cape-like” loss of pain and temperature sensation (neck, back, arms)
• LMN lesion**: flaccid atrophic paralysis of upper extremities
• affect descending hypothalamic fibres in

T1-T4 -> Horner syndrome
- painless whitlows (ulcers) of hands
- spastic paralysis of lower limbs
- scoliosis of thoracic, lumbar spine
(*classically spares dorsal column – pressure, vibration, touch, proprioception are preserved)

Question 4

Syringomyelia

Causes:

Answer 4

• post-traumatic spinal cord injury

(months or years) – most common

• Chiari malformation = downward displacement of cerebellar tonsils through foramen magnum
• meningitis
• intramedullary tumours ie. ependymoma, hemangioblastoma
• idiopathic