Syringomyelia refers to a fluid-filled cavity in the Spinal cord, which is observed particularly at the cervical and thoracic levels and, less frequently, in the lumbar region. Up to 70 % of syringomyelia cases are associated with an Arnold–Chiari type I malformation and approximately 10 % with basilar invagination; however, they may also be associated with tumors or occur post-traumatically or post-infectiously[^1].
Symptoms
The clinical presentation of syringomyelia can be highly variable. Symptoms typically progress over months or years, with an initially rapid deterioration that slows over time[^1]. Symptoms may manifest, for example, as pain, a feeling of weakness, atrophy, and loss of temperature and pain sensation[^1].
Imaging
The gold standard for imaging syringomyelia is MRI.
Post-traumatic syringomyelia
Syringomyelia can develop post-traumatically following a spinal cord injury. The incidence of this condition is approximately 0.3 - 3.2 %[^2]. Post-traumatic syringomyelia may develop as early as 2 months after the trauma or not until years later[^2]. The most common symptom of post-traumatic syringomyelia is burning pain; sensory disturbances, hyperhidrosis, progressive motor deficits, and spasticity of the extremities may also occur[^2].