Syringomyelia – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!
Syringomyelia – What it is, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that we should all know. In addition, Syringomyelia is a rare disease in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord. As this fluid-filled cyst, or syrinx, expands and elongates over time, it compresses and damages part of your spinal cord from its center outward. People with the disorder may lose the ability to feel cold and pain normally.
Some people with this disorder will have no symptoms and will not need treatment. For others, Syringomyelia will cause symptoms and complications that worsen as the syrinx expands.
Treatment is aimed at relieving pressure on the spinal cord . The treatment your doctor suggests for you will depend on the cause of your Syringomyelia . Follow-up after surgery is important because Syringomyelia can recur. So, check now Syringomyelia – What is it, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments:
What Causes Syringomyelia: Most cases of Syringomyelia are caused by a malformation of the brain known as Chiari malformation type 1 (CM1). A CM1 occurs where the brain joins the spinal cord . In this malformation, the brain stem is below normal. Located at the back of the brain stem is the cerebellum. Often, the bases of each lobe of the cerebellum, or the cerebellar tonsils, protrude from the skull and spinal canal.
Syringomyelia can develop as a complication of:
Arachnoiditis is a progressive inflammatory disease that affects the arachnoid or middle membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord . A primary arachnoid cyst is present at birth, but it can take years for symptoms to appear.
What are the Symptoms of Syringomyelia: The pressure that Syringomyelia puts on the spinal cord and the damage that follows causes the symptoms of this disease . Symptoms can include:
- Progressive weakness and pain in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs:
- An inability to feel hot or cold:
- A sense of loss of pain:
- Difficulty walking:
- Bowel and bladder function problems :
- Facial pain and numbness:
- Spinal curvature or scoliosis :
You should visit your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. If you’ve had a spinal injury, it’s important to watch out for these symptoms. It can take months or even years after your injury for Syringomyelia to develop.
How Syringomyelia is Treated: Treatment depends on the progression of the disorder and whether you are experiencing symptoms that disrupt your life. If you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, you will not need treatment. Your neurologist will monitor the progression of the disorder.
If your symptoms are negatively affecting your life, your neurologist will recommend surgery. The purpose of surgery is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord . The type of surgery will depend on the cause of your Syringomyelia .
If you have a CM 1, your surgeon may suggest surgery to expand the base of your skull and the coverage of your brain. This will take pressure from your spinal cord and your brain. Normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid must be restored. For most people, this surgery resolves their Syringomyelia . In some cases, your surgeon will use a small, flexible tube called a shuntar to drain syringomyelia .
They place the shuntar on the syrinx to drain excess fluid. Sometimes the surgeon may completely drain the syrinx during surgery. If this is not possible, the shuntar will remain in place after your surgery.
If you have a tumor or bone growth that is causing Syringomyelia , removing the growth may resolve Syringomyelia . After surgery, you may be prescribed a course of antibiotics to prevent complications from infection . Physical therapy can help strengthen muscles in limbs with progressive weakness.