Syringomyelia

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Central nervous system

Syrinx

There may be no symptoms, or symptoms may include:

• 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:

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

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

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).

Rarely, an spinal CT with myelogram may be done.

Review Date: 06/16/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).