[Adult Syringomyelia - a Syndrome of Different Origins.] - Publication

Publication

[Adult Syringomyelia - a Syndrome of Different Origins.]

Journal Paper/Review - Jun 8, 2011

Stienen Martin N., Cadosch D, Seule Martin, Hildebrandt Gerhard, Heilbronner Raoul, Gautschi Oliver

Citation

Stienen M, Cadosch D, Seule M, Hildebrandt G, Heilbronner R, Gautschi O. [Adult Syringomyelia - a Syndrome of Different Origins.]. Praxis (Bern 1994) 2011; 100:715-725.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (Deutsch)

Journal

Praxis (Bern 1994) 2011; 100

Publication Date

Jun 8, 2011

Issn Print

1661-8157

Pages

715-725

Brief description/objective

Syringomyelia describes an intra-medullary cyst in the spinal cord. In the adult patient, the pathology mostly results from Chiari-I-malformation or from severe spinal trauma. The clinical picture varies broadly, but symptoms often include pain and progressive neurologic deficits. During the clinical course, muscular atrophy and loss of pain and temperature sensation may develop in the affected region. Today, magnet resonance imaging helps to detect syringomyelia at an early stage. The interdisciplinary therapeutic approach includes an adequate pain treatment and physiotherapy, in selected cases a surgical intervention by an experienced surgeon. If not treated surgically, most symptomatic patients experience progressive neurologic deficits that may lead to severe paragplegia and chronic neuropathic pain.