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Syringomyelia

What is a syringomyelia?

A syringomyelia (pronounced se-ringo-my-EEL-e-ah) is a cyst in the center of the spinal cord that is filled with fluid.

The cyst, also called a syrinx (pronounced se- rinks), can get larger and longer over time and put pressure on the spinal cord. A syrinx can be anywhere along the spinal cord and can put pressure on the cord and cause symptoms, and/or eventually cause nerve damage, in the cord if not treated.

Symptoms

Children with syringomyelias can experience different combinations of symptoms. Some common ones include:

MRI of Chiari of syrinx before and after decompression
MRI of Chiari of syrinx before and after decompression
  • Weakness
  • Pain
  • Numbness (can’t feel anything)
  • Tingling, especially in the arms and hands
  • Difficulty feeling sensations, like hot and cold
  • Abnormal reflexes of arms and legs
  • Spasticity of arms or legs (stiff, rigid or uncontrollable muscle reflexes)
  • Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
  • Muscle wasting of arms and legs
  • Loss of bowel and bladder control
  • Loss of balance

Who gets syringomyelia?

A child with another neurological abnormality often has a syringomyelia as well. Problems present at birth that can result in syringomyelia include:

Conditions occurring during childhood such as spinal cord tethering or a spinal cord tumor can also result in a syrinx

Any of these conditions can change the normal flow of a child’s cerebrospinal fluid. The CSF often collects inside the spinal cord to form a syrinx.

However, not all children with these conditions develop a syrinx. A child can also develop a syrinx because of acquired conditions such as an injury to the neck or spine, meningitis and tumors. A syrinx can also occur without a clear cause.

What is your experience with syringomyelia?

Children’s has a great deal of experience treating syringomyelia. We also treat the related conditions that can cause this problem.

Damage to the spinal cord can worsen quickly, so it is important to diagnose and treat such problems right away, sometimes with surgery.

Our neurosurgeons have particular expertise in treating children with Chiari I malformations. Often, these children also have syringomyelia. As a national referral center for patients with Chiari I malformation, we see children from all over the country.

What surgery do you use to treat syringomyelia?

Whenever possible, we correct the basic cause of the syrinx. For instance, if a child has a Chiari and a syrinx, we know that a surgical repair of the Chiari malformation is necessary. Surgery will provide more space for the cerebellum and allow for more normal flow of the spinal fluid.

It is unusual to have a syrinx without a Chiari, but if it does occur the treatment may be to either find the cause (i.e. tumor) and treat that, or to drain the syrinx.