Syringomyelia

Question 1

pathology?

Answer 1

fluid-filled cavity in the spinal cord

if affects the brainstem- syringobulbia

Question 2

aetiology?

Answer 2

• meningeal carcinoma
• budd chiari malformation
• spinal cord injury
• meningitis
• haemorrhage
• intra medullary tumours

Question 3

symptoms?

Answer 3

• sensory loss
  
  • loss of pain and temperature
• muscle atrophy
  
  • starts in hands and works its way proximally
• autonomic dysfunction
• pain
• UMN signs in lower limbs

Syringobulbia: Cr.N symptoms: dysphagia, nystagmus, tongue atrophy etc

Question 4

Ix + Rx

Answer 4

Ix

• MRI
• CSF: can be increased pressure / protein

Rx

• surgery
• physio