Delayed post-traumatic syringohydromyelia after an uncomplicated fracture of the spine: Case report and literature review

Abstract

A patient who had had a traffic accident resulting with a compression fracture of the L1 vertebra but with no neurological deficits, developed urinary incontinence and weakness in his lower extremities 25 years after the spinal injury. An MRI scan of the spine revealed gliosis of the conus medullaris at the level of the compression fracture, with syringohydromyelia extending from T6 to conus medullaris. The patient underwent a rehabilitation program at the end of which he was able to ambulate independently.