Non-hindbrain-related syringomyelia

Abstract

Syringomyelia is not a disease in its own right but a manifestation of another disease process that incorporates an obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow in the spinal canal, tethering of the spinal cord, or an intramedullary tumor. Whenever a syrinx is demonstrated, the clinical examination and the analysis of the patient’s history as well as neuroradiological imaging have to concentrate on identifying the underlying cause of the syrinx. If the cause of syringomyelia can be identified and treated successfully, the syrinx will regress, and clinical symptoms will improve or remain stable for the future. Whereas diagnosis and treatment of Chiari malformations and intramedullary tumors are well established, the significance of spinal arachnopathies for development and successful treatment of syringomyelia is still not widely recognized. This chapter describes diagnostic and management algorithms as well as results of treatment for patients with syringomyelia related to spinal arachnopathies.