What is syringomyelia?
(sear-IN-go-my-EEL-ya)

Syringomyelia, often referred to as SM, is a chronic disorder involving the spinal cord. The condition occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (normally found outside of the spinal cord and brain) enters the interior of the spinal cord, forming a cavity known as a syrinx.

This syrinx often expands and elongates over time, destroying the center of the spinal cord. As the nerve tissue inside the spinal cord are damaged, a wide variety of symptoms can occur, depending upon the size and location of the syrinx.

Spinal nerve tissue damage is awful, it can present in many ways and not as a result of a heavy workload either - simple mechanical movement of the parts of the body where the nerve tissue damage in the spine occurs will always result in degrdation of the electrical impulse messages that they body sendes through the nerve tissue causing all kinds of wierd sensory feeling.

Since the muscle is not getting the correct messages or blood flow, then it is unsurprising that it feels fatigue easily and is not worked properly, therefore weakness and atrophy are then experienced.

There are two major types of SM. In most cases it is related to a congenital malformation involving the hindbrain (cerebellum) called a Chiari I Malformation. This malformation occurs during fetal development and is characterized by downward displacement of the lower part of the brain (cerebellar tonsils) beneath the foramen magnum, into the cervical spinal canal. This displacement blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When normal flow is obstructed, a syrinx can form in the spinal cord. Not all patients with Chiari Malformations will develop a syrinx, however.

SM can also occur as a complication of trauma, meningitis, tumor, arachnoiditis, or a tethered spinal cord. In these cases the syrinx forms in the section of the spinal cord damaged by these conditions. As more people are surviving spinal cord injuries, more cases of post-traumatic SM are being diagnosed as the syrinx can form years after the trauma.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms develop slowly over time, but can come on suddenly after a fall or minor trauma. Sensation may be affected first. Some common symptoms include:

Loss of sensitivity to hot and cold
Numbness and tingling
Bowel and bladder function may be affected
Scoliosis
Pain
Muscle weakness
Spasticity
Paralysis (in severe cases, quadriplegia)
Scoliosis may be the only symptom in children. Often people with scoliosis undergo spinal MR imaging because of an atypical left-sided thoracic curve.

Many individuals suffer from chronic pain and some will develop neuropathic pain syndromes. This type of pain is difficult to treat. A large percentage of people have headaches which can be severe.

What should be done?

The first step after diagnosis is finding a neurosurgeon who is experienced in the treatment of SM. Finding a specialist is highly recommended. Surgery is the only viable treatment for SM, but not all patients will advance to the stage where surgery is needed. Evaluation of the condition is often difficult because SM can remain stationary for long periods of time, and in some cases progress rapidly.

Treatment is aimed at restoring the normal flow of spinal fluid. In persons with Chiari and SM, a procedure known as a posterior fossa decompression may be recommended. This procedure allows the cerebellar tonsils to move into a normal position, restoring the normal flow. After this procedure the syrinx will often reduce or resolve on its own. This can take months and may never completely collapse the syrinx. Some patients may require repeat surgeries. The most important consideration in deciding to undergo surgery is the severity of symptoms and overall quality of life issues.

Thank you http://www.asap.org/syringomyelia.html

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