Syringomyélie
Syringomyelia is an abnormality in the spinal cord due to the appearance of cysts in the spinal cord (syrinx). Developed cysts or syrinx can suppress spinal cord tissue, causing symptoms such as muscle weakness and loss of pain sensation.
The cause of the emergence of syringomyelia is not known with certainty. However, several diseases can trigger this disease, namely Chiari malformations, meningitis, spinal cord injury, and spinal cord tumors.
Symptoms of Syringomyelia
Symptoms of syringomyelia usually only occur in patients aged 20 to 30 years, and can slowly worsen. Initially, syringomyelia attacks the neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Symptoms include:
Other symptoms that may also appear in syringomyelia are:
When to see a doctor
If the above symptoms occur, see a doctor immediately. Some symptoms of syringomyelia are similar to the symptoms of other bones. Therefore a series of examinations is needed to confirm the diagnosis, before the doctor can determine the right treatment.
You should also be alert and consult a doctor if you have a spinal cord injury because the symptoms may appear several months to several years after the injury. The faster it is detected, the greater the chance of recovery.
Causes of syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is caused by cyst formation in the spinal cord (syrinx). The formation of these cysts has not been known to cause until now. However, many diseases are thought to trigger the formation of these cysts.
Most cases of syringomyelia are caused by Chiari malformations, abnormal brain structures that cause degeneration of parts of the brain in the spinal cord. Decreased brain tissue interferes with the flow of spinal cord fluid (cerebrospinal fluid), triggering the formation of cysts responsible for syringomyelia.
Besides being caused by Chiari malformations, syringomyelia can also be suspected by:
To diagnose syringomyelia, the doctor will first ask about the symptoms, medical history, and physical examination of the patient.
If you suspect syringomyelia, the doctor will ask the patient to do an MRI or CT scan. Analysis was carried out to see the condition of the spinal cord in detail. To get a clearer picture, the radiologist can inject a special coloring agent (contrast) before the examination.
Syringomyelia Treatment
The treatment for syringomyelia that will be given by a doctor depends on the severity of the disease and the development of symptoms experienced by the patient. If symptoms are mild, neurologists only recommend that patients undergo regular neurological and MRI examinations.
To avoid worsening syringomyelia, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity and undergo physiotherapy to treat nerve disorders such as muscle weakness and muscle stiffness. This therapy will be guided by a medical rehabilitation doctor.
operation
If the symptoms of syringomyelia worsen or interfere with daily activities, the doctor will recommend surgery. This operation is performed by a neurosurgeon to reduce pressure on the spinal cord and restore the normal flow of spinal cord fluid.
The type of spinal surgery performed varies with the cause of syringomyelia. Some types of operations that can be performed are:
Treatment after surgery
After surgery, antibiotics will also be given to patients to prevent complications of infection. In addition, physiotherapy is still ongoing to strengthen the weakened muscles.
To monitor the recovery process after syringomyelia surgery, the patient must carry out routine checks. During a routine examination, the doctor can do a CT scan to monitor the condition of the patient's spinal nerves.
It is important to continue treatment after surgery because syringomyelia can reappear. Periodic checks, for example by MRI, must be carried out to monitor the success of the operation and the development of the disease.
Complications of syringomyelia
Syringomyelia can cause many complications, including:
The cause of the emergence of syringomyelia is not known with certainty. However, several diseases can trigger this disease, namely Chiari malformations, meningitis, spinal cord injury, and spinal cord tumors.
Symptoms of syringomyelia usually only occur in patients aged 20 to 30 years, and can slowly worsen. Initially, syringomyelia attacks the neck, shoulders, arms and hands. Symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness.
- Muscle narrowing (muscular atrophy).
- Missing reflexes.
- Loss of sensitivity to pain, cold and burning.
Other symptoms that may also appear in syringomyelia are:
- Straight muscle
- Muscle ache
- Stool obstruction and urination
When to see a doctor
If the above symptoms occur, see a doctor immediately. Some symptoms of syringomyelia are similar to the symptoms of other bones. Therefore a series of examinations is needed to confirm the diagnosis, before the doctor can determine the right treatment.
You should also be alert and consult a doctor if you have a spinal cord injury because the symptoms may appear several months to several years after the injury. The faster it is detected, the greater the chance of recovery.
Causes of syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is caused by cyst formation in the spinal cord (syrinx). The formation of these cysts has not been known to cause until now. However, many diseases are thought to trigger the formation of these cysts.
Most cases of syringomyelia are caused by Chiari malformations, abnormal brain structures that cause degeneration of parts of the brain in the spinal cord. Decreased brain tissue interferes with the flow of spinal cord fluid (cerebrospinal fluid), triggering the formation of cysts responsible for syringomyelia.
Besides being caused by Chiari malformations, syringomyelia can also be suspected by:
- Injury to the spinal cord
- Meningitis
- Tumors in the spine
- Congenital abnormalities (congenital) of the spinal cord
- Bleeding in the spinal area
To diagnose syringomyelia, the doctor will first ask about the symptoms, medical history, and physical examination of the patient.
If you suspect syringomyelia, the doctor will ask the patient to do an MRI or CT scan. Analysis was carried out to see the condition of the spinal cord in detail. To get a clearer picture, the radiologist can inject a special coloring agent (contrast) before the examination.
Syringomyelia Treatment
The treatment for syringomyelia that will be given by a doctor depends on the severity of the disease and the development of symptoms experienced by the patient. If symptoms are mild, neurologists only recommend that patients undergo regular neurological and MRI examinations.
To avoid worsening syringomyelia, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity and undergo physiotherapy to treat nerve disorders such as muscle weakness and muscle stiffness. This therapy will be guided by a medical rehabilitation doctor.
operation
If the symptoms of syringomyelia worsen or interfere with daily activities, the doctor will recommend surgery. This operation is performed by a neurosurgeon to reduce pressure on the spinal cord and restore the normal flow of spinal cord fluid.
The type of spinal surgery performed varies with the cause of syringomyelia. Some types of operations that can be performed are:
- Surgery to overcome Chiari malformations, so that the flow of fluid from the spinal cord returns smoothly.
- Surgery to suppress the blockage of cerebrospinal fluid flow due to tumors in the spinal region or abnormal spinal growth.
- An operation to drain syrinx fluid, by installing a special device called a shunt.
Treatment after surgery
After surgery, antibiotics will also be given to patients to prevent complications of infection. In addition, physiotherapy is still ongoing to strengthen the weakened muscles.
To monitor the recovery process after syringomyelia surgery, the patient must carry out routine checks. During a routine examination, the doctor can do a CT scan to monitor the condition of the patient's spinal nerves.
It is important to continue treatment after surgery because syringomyelia can reappear. Periodic checks, for example by MRI, must be carried out to monitor the success of the operation and the development of the disease.
Complications of syringomyelia
Syringomyelia can cause many complications, including:
- Prolonged (chronic) pain due to spinal cord injury.
- Scoliosis or curved spine like the letter S.
- Myelopathy or loss of nerve function in the spinal cord gradually.
- Paralysis, because muscles are weak and stiff.
- Respiratory insufficiency, because syrinx enlarges and compresses the nerves that regulate respiratory muscles.
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