Syringomyelia Flashcards
1
Q
what is syringomyelia?
A
collection of CSF within the spinal cord
2
Q
what is syringobulbia?
A
fluid-filled cavity within the medulla of the brainstem
often an extension of the syringomyelia
3
Q
what are the causes of syringomyelia?
A
- chiari malformation
- trauma
- tumours
- idiopathic
4
Q
what are the features of syringomyelia?
A
- ‘cape-like’ (neck, shoulders and arms)
- spastic weakness - predominantly of the lower limbs
- neuropathic pain
- upgoing plantars
- autonomic features
- not treated = scoliosis
5
Q
describe the cape-like features of syringomyelia
A
loss of sensation to temperature but the preservation of light touch, proprioception and vibration
- example = burn hands without realising
- due to corssing spinothalamic tracts in the anterior commissure of the spinal cord being the first tracts to be affected
6
Q
what are the autonomic features of syringomyelia?
A
- horner’s syndrome (due to compression of the sympathetic chain)
- bowel and bladder dysfunction
7
Q
what investigations are carried out in syringomyelia?
A
- full spine MRI with contrast - exclude tumour or tethered cord
- brain MRI - exclude chiari malformation
8
Q
what is the management of syringomyelia?
A
shunt
