What are the different forms of syringomyelia?
Generally, there are two forms of SM. The disorder may be related to a congenital abnormality of the brain called Arnold Chiari malformation. A syrinx may then develop in the cervical region of the spinal cord; this is referred to as communicating syringomyelia. Some people with this form of the disorder also have hydrocephalus (water on the brain), a condition in which CSF accumulates in the skull, or arachnoiditis, in which a covering of the spinal cord is inflamed. The second major form of SM occurs as a complication of trauma, meningitis, hemmorrhage or tumor. Here, the cyst or syrinx develops in a segment of the spinal cord damaged by one or more of these conditions. The syrinx may start to expand; this is sometimes referred to as noncommunicating syringomyelia. How is Syringomyelia diagnosed? MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is the leading diagnostic tool used in determining SM. The MR imager takes pictures of body structures, such as the brain and spinal cord, in vivid detail. M
There are two forms of syringomyelia, one is communicating syringomyelia and another noncommunicating syringomyelia. Communicating syringomyelia This is due to Chiari malformation which is an anatomic abnormality causes the lower part of the cerebellum to protrude from its normal location in the back of the head into the cervical or neck portion of the spinal canal. A syrinx may then develop in the cervical region of the spinal cord. Here, symptoms usually begin between the ages of 25 and 40 and may worsen with straining or any activity that causes cerebrospinal fluid pressure to fluctuate suddenly. Some patients, however, may have long periods of stability. Some patients with this form of the disorder also have hydrocephalus, in which cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the skull, or a condition called arachnoiditis, in which a covering of the spinal cord–the arachnoid membrane–is inflamed. Noncommunicating syringomyelia. The second major form of syringomyelia is noncommunicating syr
Generally, there are two forms of syringomyelia. In most cases, the disorder is related to a congenital abnormality of the brain called a Chiari I malformation, named after the physician who first characterized it. This malformation occurs during the development of the fetus and causes the lower part of the cerebellum to protrude from its normal location in the back of the head into the cervical or neck portion of the spinal canal. A syrinx may then develop in the cervical region of the spinal cord. Because of the relationship that was once thought to exist between the brain and spinal cord in this type of syringomyelia, physicians sometimes refer to it as communicating syringomyelia. Here, symptoms usually begin between the ages of 25 and 40 and may worsen with straining or any activity that causes cerebrospinal fluid pressure to fluctuate. Some patients, however, may have long periods of stability. Some patients with this form of the disorder also have hydrocephalus, in which cerebro
Generally, there are two forms of syringomyelia. In most cases, the disorder is related to an abnormality of the brain called a Chiari I malformation, named after the physician who first characterized it. This anatomic abnormality causes the lower part of the cerebellum to protrude from its normal location in the back of the head into the cervical or neck portion of the spinal canal. A syrinx may then develop in the cervical region of the spinal cord. Because of the relationship that was once thought to exist between the brain and spinal cord in this type of syringomyelia, physicians sometimes refer to it as communicating syringomyelia. Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 25 and 40 and may worsen with straining or any activity that causes CSF pressure to fluctuate suddenly. Some patients, however, may have long periods of stability. Some patients with this form of the disorder also have hydrocephalus, in which CSF accumulates in the skull, or a condition called arachnoiditis, in
