Hydromyelia refers to a pathological dilation of the central canal in the spinal cord, which is filled with cerebrospinal fluid.

Hydromyelia is distinguished from syringomyelia, where the fluid-filled cavity (syrinx) is located in the spinal cord tissue itself, hence paracentral and not primarily in the lined central canal. Since both forms are often difficult to distinguish clinically and radiologically or occur together, the term hydrosyringomyelia is frequently used as an umbrella term.

Etiology

The etiology of hydromyelia is closely related to disturbances of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. Congenital and acquired forms are distinguished.

Imaging

A hydromyelia can be optimally represented in an MR imaging and can be optimally depicted in a T2 weighted MRI sequence.