Description

Syringomyelia (sih-ring-go-my-E-lee-uh) is the development of a fluid-filled cyst within the spinal cord. The cyst, which is sometimes called a syrinx, can grow larger over time. When you do, you may damage the spinal cord and cause pain, weakness, and stiffness.

Syringomyelia has several possible causes. Many of the cases are associated with a Chiari malformation. This is a condition in which brain tissue is pushed into the spinal canal.

Other causes of syringomyelia include spinal cord tumors, spinal cord injuries and damages caused by the swelling around the spinal cord.

If the syringomyelia does not cause problems, the monitoring of the condition may be all that is necessary. But if the symptoms are bothersome, surgery may be necessary.

Symptoms

Syringomyelia symptoms usually develop slowly over time. If syringomyelia is caused by the brain tissue pushing into the spinal canal, it is called a Chiari malformation. The symptoms usually begin between the ages of 25 and 40 years.

In some cases, coughing or straining may trigger the symptoms of syringomyelia, despite the fact that neither the causes syringomyelia.

Syringomyelia can affect the back, shoulders, arms, or legs. Symptoms may include:

  • Muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass.
  • Loss of reflexes.
  • Loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature.
  • Headaches.
  • The stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, and legs.
  • Pain in the neck, arms, and back.
  • The scoliosis. This is when the spine curves sideways.

When to see a doctor

If you have any of the symptoms associated with syringomyelia, consult your health care professional.

If you have had a spinal cord injury, attentive to the symptoms of syringomyelia. It can take months or years after an injury before the syringomyelia develops. Make sure that your healthcare professional know that I had a spinal cord injury.

Causes

It is not clear how and why the syringomyelia happens. When it develops, the fluid that surrounds, cushions and protects the brain and spinal cord accumulates in the spinal cord. This fluid is called the cerebrospinal fluid. If it accumulates and forms a fluid-filled cyst, is called the syrinx.

Many conditions and diseases that can lead to syringomyelia, including:

  • Chiari malformation, a condition in which brain tissue is pushed into the spinal canal and block the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
  • Tumor of the spinal cord, which can interfere with the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
  • The conditions that are present at birth, such as a tethered spinal cord. Tethered spinal cord is a condition that occurs when the tissue is attached to the spinal cord of the limits of its movement.
  • Injury of the spinal cord, which can cause symptoms months or years later.

Complications

In some people, the syringomyelia can progress and cause serious complications. Other people do not have symptoms.

A fistula can cause complications if it grows or damage of the nerves in the spinal cord. Complications include:

  • The scoliosis. This is when the spine curves sideways.
  • The chronic pain resulting from damage to the spinal cord.
  • Motor difficulties that can affect walking. Examples include weakness, and stiffness in the muscles of the leg.
  • The paralysis.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and perform a complete physical examination. In some cases, syringomyelia may be discovered during an mri of the spine or ct scan done for other reasons.

If your healthcare provider suspects that you may have syringomyelia, you may need to undergo testing. Tests may include:

  • The magnetic resonance imaging.AnMRIscan of the vertebral column and the spinal cord is the most reliable tool for the diagnosis of syringomyelia. AnMRIuses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of the spine and spinal cord. If a syrinx has been developed within the spinal cord, which is visible in theMRIscan. TheMRImight be repeated over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.
  • CTscan. A ct scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of the vertebral column and the spinal cord. You can reveal tumors or other conditions of the spine.

The magnetic resonance imaging. A magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and the spinal cord is the most reliable tool for the diagnosis of syringomyelia.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI uses radio waves and a powerful magnetic field to produce detailed images of the spine and spinal cord. If a syrinx has been developed within the spinal cord, which is visible on magnetic resonance image.

Magnetic resonance imaging may be repeated over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.

Treatment

The treatment of syringomyelia depends on the severity of the symptoms and the size of the fistula.

Monitoring

If syringomyelia is not causing symptoms, you may not need treatment. Your healthcare provider may check from time to time with the magnetic resonance imaging and neurological examinations.

Surgery

Surgery may be needed if the syringomyelia is the cause of the symptoms that stand in the way of your life, or if symptoms are getting worse quickly.

The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure of the syrinx places in the spinal cord and restore the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This may help to improve symptoms and function of the nervous system. The type of surgery needed depends on the cause of syringomyelia.

To reduce the pressure on the brain and the spinal cord, surgery options include:

  • The treatment of the Chiari malformation. If syringomyelia is caused by a Chiari malformation, surgery may involve removing a small section of bone in the posterior part of the skull. This surgery can reduce the pressure on the brain and the spinal cord and restore the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid. The surgery can improve or eliminate the syringomyelia.
  • The drainage of the fistula. Your health care professional inserts a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a flexible tube that keeps the fluid in the syrinx, which flows in the desired direction. One end of the tubing is placed in the syrinx, and the other is placed in another area of the body, as the abdomen.
  • The removal of the obstruction. Sometimes something within the spinal cord is interfering with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Examples include a tumor or a bone spur. The surgical removal of the obstruction can clarify the flow. This may allow the fluid to drain the syrinx.
  • The correction of the irregularity. If spinal irregularity is impeding the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgery may be necessary. For example, the surgery can release the tethered spinal cord and restore the flow of fluid. This allows the fistula to drain.

Surgery is not always to the correction of the fistula. Sometimes the syrinx is maintained even after efforts to drain the fluid from it.

The follow-up care

Syringomyelia may recur after surgery. You will need to have regular checkups with your health care team. You may need an mri now and then, check the result of the surgery.

The fistula can grow with time and may require more treatment. Even after treatment, some of the symptoms of syringomyelia can stay. This is due to a fistula can cause permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following steps can help reduce the effects of syringomyelia.

Avoid activities that may worsen symptoms.

Avoid activities that involve heavy lifting, straining or putting force on the spine.

Consider the possibility of physical therapy and occupational therapy

A syringomyelia sometimes cause neurological conditions that decrease the ability to move. For example, you can cause muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, and stiffness. Physical and occupational therapy can help improve muscle function. A physical therapist can create a program of exercises that may help reduce these symptoms. An occupational therapist can teach you how to function better in their daily tasks.

Talk with your health care team about the physical and occupational therapists in your area who have experience in neurological diseases.

Manage chronic pain

If you have chronic pain of syringomyelia, talk with your health care team about treatment options. Many medical centers that specialize in the management of pain.

Coping and support

Living with syringomyelia and its complications can be a challenge. To have someone to talk to, whether it be a friend, a counselor or a therapist, can be very valuable. Or you could find the support and encouragement they need a syringomyelia support group.

Ask your health care professional to recommend a local group or find groups online. A support group provides a place for the exchange of experiences. It can also be a good source of information and offer useful tips for people with syringomyelia.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family health care provider. You can get a referral to see a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do beforehand. If you have past medical reports, mri, or CT scans, which could affect their condition, bring them to your appointment.

Have a family member or friend to your appointment, if possible, to help you remember the information that you receive.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began
  • Key personal information, including spinal or back surgeries or injuries you have had, and the history of the family of syringomyelia
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

For syringomyelia, questions to ask your health care professional include:

  • What is the likely cause of my symptoms or condition?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • It is possible that my symptoms get better on their own?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • Can exercise help?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask questions such as:

  • The symptoms been constant or come and go?
  • How bad are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that makes their symptoms worse. For many people with syringomyelia, lifting heavy objects, and the effort can trigger symptoms, so avoid these activities. Also, avoid flexion of the neck.

Symptoms and treatment of Syringomyelia