Syringomyelia (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Syringomyelia|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Syringomyelia|here]]'''


{{SI}}
{{Syringomyelia (patient information)}}


'''Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer
{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer


{{EJ}}
==Overview==
 
==What is Syringomyelia?==
[[Syringomyelia]] is damage to the [[spinal cord]] due to the formation of a fluid-filled area within the cord.
[[Syringomyelia]] is damage to the [[spinal cord]] due to the formation of a fluid-filled area within the cord.


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The fluid-filled cavity usually begins in the neck area. It expands slowly, putting pressure on the [[spinal cord]] and slowly causing damage.
The fluid-filled cavity usually begins in the neck area. It expands slowly, putting pressure on the [[spinal cord]] and slowly causing damage.


==Who is at risk for Syringomyelia?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
Call your [[health care provider]] if you have symptoms of [[syringomyelia]].


==How do I know I have Syringomyelia?==
==Diagnosis==
A [[neurologic]] examination may show loss of sensation or movement caused by compression of the [[spinal cord]].
A [[neurologic]] examination may show loss of sensation or movement caused by compression of the [[spinal cord]].


A spinal [[CT]] with [[myelogram]] or an [[MRI]] of the [[spine]] confirms [[syringomyelia]] and determines the exact location and extent. Often, an [[MRI]] of the head will be done to look for associated conditions including [[hydrocephalus]] (water on the brain).
A spinal [[CT]] with [[myelogram]] or an [[MRI]] of the [[spine]] confirms [[syringomyelia]] and determines the exact location and extent. Often, an [[MRI]] of the head will be done to look for associated conditions including [[hydrocephalus]] (water on the brain).
==When to seek urgent medical care==
Call your [[health care provider]] if you have symptoms of [[syringomyelia]].


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
The goals of [[treatment]] are to stop the [[spinal cord]] damage from getting worse and to maximize functioning. [[Surgery]] to relieve pressure in the [[spinal cord]] may be appropriate. [[Physical therapy]] may be needed to maximize muscular function.
The goals of [[treatment]] are to stop the [[spinal cord]] damage from getting worse and to maximize functioning. [[Surgery]] to relieve pressure in the [[spinal cord]] may be appropriate. [[Physical therapy]] may be needed to maximize muscular function.


==Where to find medical care for Syringomyelia==
==Where to find medical care for Syringomyelia?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Syringomyelia}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Syringomyelia]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Syringomyelia}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Syringomyelia]


==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Untreated, the disorder gets worse very slowly, but it eventually causes severe [[disability]]. Surgical decompression usually stops the progression of the disorder, with about 50% of people showing significant improvement in neurologic function after surgical decompression.
Untreated, the disorder gets worse very slowly, but it eventually causes severe [[disability]]. Surgical decompression usually stops the progression of the disorder, with about 50% of people showing significant improvement in neurologic function after surgical decompression.


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Possible complications of [[surgery]] include:
Possible complications of [[surgery]] include:
*Postoperative [[infection]] and other complications common to all [[surgeries]]
*Postoperative [[infection]] and other complications common to all [[surgeries]]
==Prevention==
There is no known prevention, other than avoiding [[trauma]] to the [[spinal cord]]. Prompt treatment reduces progression of the disorder.


==Sources==
==Sources==
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001398.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001398.htm


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[[Category:Patient Information]]
[[Category:Patient Information]]
[[Category:Neurology]]

Latest revision as of 19:28, 11 October 2016

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Syringomyelia

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Syringomyelia?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Syringomyelia On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Syringomyelia

Videos on Syringomyelia

FDA on Syringomyelia

CDC on Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia in the news

Blogs on Syringomyelia

Directions to Hospitals Treating Syringomyelia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Syringomyelia

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Overview

Syringomyelia is damage to the spinal cord due to the formation of a fluid-filled area within the cord.

What are the symptoms of Syringomyelia?

  • Gradual loss of muscle mass (wasting, atrophy)
  • Headache
  • Muscle function loss, loss of ability to use arms or legs
  • Numbness or decreased sensation
    • Decreased sense of pain or temperature
    • Lessened ability to sense that the skin is being touched
    • Neck, shoulders, upper arms, trunk -- in a cape-like pattern
    • Slowly, but progressively, gets worse
  • Pain down the arms, neck, or into the upper back
  • Weakness (decreased muscle strength, independent of exercise) in the arms or legs

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

  • Muscle contractions
  • Rashes
  • Spasms in or tightness of the leg muscles
  • Uncoordinated movement

What causes Syringomyelia?

The fluid buildup seen in syringomyelia may be a result of spinal cord trauma, tumors of the spinal cord, or birth defects (specifically, "chiari malformation," in which part of the brain pushes down onto the spinal cord at the base of the skull).

The fluid-filled cavity usually begins in the neck area. It expands slowly, putting pressure on the spinal cord and slowly causing damage.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of syringomyelia.

Diagnosis

A neurologic examination may show loss of sensation or movement caused by compression of the spinal cord.

A spinal CT with myelogram or an MRI of the spine confirms syringomyelia and determines the exact location and extent. Often, an MRI of the head will be done to look for associated conditions including hydrocephalus (water on the brain).

Treatment options

The goals of treatment are to stop the spinal cord damage from getting worse and to maximize functioning. Surgery to relieve pressure in the spinal cord may be appropriate. Physical therapy may be needed to maximize muscular function.

Where to find medical care for Syringomyelia?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Syringomyelia

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Untreated, the disorder gets worse very slowly, but it eventually causes severe disability. Surgical decompression usually stops the progression of the disorder, with about 50% of people showing significant improvement in neurologic function after surgical decompression.

Possible complications

Without treatment, the condition will lead to:

Possible complications of surgery include:

Prevention

There is no known prevention, other than avoiding trauma to the spinal cord. Prompt treatment reduces progression of the disorder.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001398.htm


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