What is a Holocord syrinx?

Holocord syringomyelia, in which the syrinx involves most or all levels of the cord (typically from C2 to the lower thoracic or lumbar vertebrae, and often all the way to the conus medullaris) represents a unique subset of syringomyelia cases. What is syringomyelia?
Syringomyelia is a disorder in which a fluid-filled cyst (called a syrinx) forms within the spinal cord. Over time, the syrinx can get bigger and can damage the spinal cord and compress and injure the nerve fibers that carry information to the brain and from the brain to the rest of the body.

Is a syrinx serious?

In some people, syringomyelia can progress and lead to serious complications. Others have no symptoms. Possible complications as a syrinx enlarges or if it damages nerves within your spinal cord include: An abnormal curve of your spine (scoliosis) What is a Syringobulbia?
Syringobulbia is a neurological disorder characterized by a fluid-filled cavity (syrinx) within the spinal cord that extends to involve the brainstem (medulla). It usually occurs as a slit-like gap within the lower brainstem that may affect one or more of the cranial nerves, causing facial palsies of various kinds.

What is Brown Séquard syndrome?

Definition. Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS) is a rare neurological condition characterized by a lesion in the spinal cord which results in weakness or paralysis (hemiparaplegia) on one side of the body and a loss of sensation (hemianesthesia) on the opposite side. What is a syrinx?

A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord (syringomyelia) or brain stem (syringobulbia). Predisposing factors include craniocervical junction abnormalities, previous spinal cord trauma, and spinal cord tumors.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

Can you exercise with a syrinx?

Avoid doing anything that worsens your symptoms. For many people with syringomyelia, heavy lifting and straining can trigger symptoms, so avoid these activities. Also, avoid flexing your neck.

Is a syrinx a tumor?

Usually, syrinxes that develop later in life are due to injuries or tumors. About 30% of tumors that originate in the spinal cord eventually produce a syrinx. Syrinxes that grow in the spinal cord press on it from within.

What does syrinx pain feel like?

Syringomyelia is usually slowly progressive, but rapid onset can occur. Common symptoms include pain in the neck and shoulders. Pain may also affect the arms and hands and may be described as a burning, tingling or piercing sensation.

Can a syrinx cause paralysis?

As it stretches it may damage the gray matter in the spinal cord and cause pain, loss of sensation, and loss of muscle bulk. Damage to the white matter causes stiffness and poor muscle control. Left untreated, a syrinx may eventually lead to paralysis.

Is syringomyelia an autoimmune disorder?

Is syringomyelia a rare disease?

Syringomyelia is a rare condition that causes the development of a fluid-filled cyst in the spinal cord. As the cyst enlarges over time, it may cause muscle atrophy, loss of reflexes, and loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature.

What happens if a syrinx burst?

Spinal fluid is thought to flow through channels that act as one-way valves: fluid flows in but little flows out. Pressure builds in the syrinx until it enlarges and ruptures, damaging normal spinal cord tissue and injuring nerve cells.

Is Syringobulbia a disability?

Symptoms typically vary depending on the extent and location of the syrinx. 50% of patients (when all types of syrinxes are considered) experience no or only mild disability. If the syrinx extends into the brain stem, syringobulbia results. This may affect one or more cranial nerves, resulting in facial palsies.

Does Chiari malformation shorten lifespan?

What Is the Life Expectancy for Chiari Malformation? Life expectancy for Chiari malformation depends on the type. Patients with Chiari type I malformation, the mildest form of the condition, are typically diagnosed in adulthood and have a normal life expectancy and good outcomes with treatment and/or surgery.

What is Hemicord?

Brown-Séquard syndrome, also known as hemicord syndrome, is the result of damage to, or impairment of, the left or right side of the spinal cord. It is characterized by a characteristic pattern of motor and sensory deficits that are determined by the decussation pattern of various white matter tracts.

What is cord syndrome?

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is an incomplete traumatic injury to the cervical spinal cord – the portion of the spinal cord that runs through the bones of the neck. This injury results in weakness in the arms more so than the legs.

What is spiral cord?

The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves and cells that extends from the lower portion of the brain to the lower back. It carries signals between the brain and the rest of the body. This article covers the key anatomy of the spinal cord and its functions. It also provides some information about spinal cord injuries.

What is a Chiari 1 malformation?

A Chiari malformation is a problem in which a part of the brain (the cerebellum) at the back of the skull bulges through a normal opening in the skull where it joins the spinal canal. This puts pressure on parts of the brain and spinal cord, and can cause mild to severe symptoms.

How common is Hydromyelia?

Hydromyelia is the dilatation of the central canal of the spinal cord (Fig. 48.6). It is analogous to dilatation of the ventricles in the brain and is a relatively common occurrence in children with MMC, being present in up to 40% of patients.

What is the prognosis for syringomyelia?

Although syringomyelia can lead to disruption of neural connections in the spinal cord and to neurological damage, 50% of patients (when all types of syrinxes are considered) will experience no or only mild disability.