Syringomyelia

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a complete physical examination. In some cases, syringomyelia might be discovered incidentally during a spine MRI or CT scan conducted for other reasons.

If your doctor suspects syringomyelia, you'll likely undergo tests such as:

• MRI. An MRI of your spine and spinal cord is the most reliable tool for diagnosing syringomyelia.

  An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of your spine and spinal cord. If a syrinx has developed within your spinal cord, your doctor will be able to view it on the MRI.

  In some cases, a specialist will inject a dye into a blood vessel in your groin, which travels through blood vessels to your spine and reveals tumors or other abnormalities.

  You might have repeated MRI scans over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.

• CT scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of your spine and spinal cord. It can reveal tumors or other spine conditions.

Treatment

Treatment for syringomyelia depends on the severity and progression of your signs and symptoms.

Monitoring

If syringomyelia isn't causing signs or symptoms, monitoring with periodic MRI and neurological exams might be all you need.

Surgery

If syringomyelia is causing signs and symptoms that interfere with your life, or if signs and symptoms rapidly worsen, your doctor will likely recommend surgery.

The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure the syrinx places on your spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This can help improve your symptoms and nervous system function. The type of surgery you'll need depends on the cause of syringomyelia.

To reduce pressure on your brain and spinal cord, surgery options include:

• Treating Chiari malformation. If syringomyelia is caused by Chiari malformation, surgery might involve removing a small section of bone at the back of your skull. This surgery can reduce pressure on your brain and spinal cord, restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and might improve or resolve syringomyelia.
• Draining the syrinx. Your doctor will surgically insert a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a flexible tube that keeps fluid from the syrinx flowing in the desired direction. One end of the tubing is placed in the syrinx, and the other is placed in another area of your body such as your abdomen.
• Removing the obstruction. If something within your spinal cord, such as a tumor or a bony growth, is hindering the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgically removing the obstruction might restore the flow and allow fluid to drain from the syrinx.
• Correcting the abnormality. If a spinal abnormality is hindering the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgery to correct it, such as releasing a tethered spinal cord, might restore fluid flow and allow the syrinx to drain.

Surgery doesn't always restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and the syrinx might remain, despite efforts to drain the fluid from it.

Follow-up care

Syringomyelia can recur after surgery. You'll need regular examinations with your doctor, including periodic MRIs, to assess the outcome of surgery.

The syrinx can grow over time, requiring additional treatment. Even after treatment, some signs and symptoms of syringomyelia can remain, as a syrinx can cause permanent spinal cord and nerve damage.

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following steps might help reduce the effects of syringomyelia.

Avoid activities that can make symptoms worse

Avoid activity that involves heavy lifting, straining or putting force on your spine.

Consider physical therapy

If syringomyelia causes neurological problems that decrease your mobility and activity, such as muscle weakness, pain, fatigue or stiffness, a physical therapist might be able to create an exercise program for you that can help reduce these symptoms.

Talk to your doctor about physical therapists in your area who have expertise in neurological conditions.

Manage chronic pain

If you have chronic pain from your syringomyelia, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Many medical centers have doctors who specialize in pain management.

Coping and support

Living with syringomyelia and its complications can be challenging. Having someone to talk with, whether a friend, counselor or therapist, can be invaluable. Or you might find the support and encouragement you need in a syringomyelia support group.

Ask your doctor to recommend a local group or look for groups online. Support groups provide a forum for sharing experiences and can be good sources of information, offering useful or helpful tips for people with syringomyelia.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or your doctor might refer you to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. If you have past medical reports, MRI scans or CT scans that might relate to your problem, bring them to your appointment.

Take a family member or friend to your appointment, if possible, to help you remember the information you'll be given.

Make a list of:

• Your symptoms and when they began
• Key personal information, including spinal or back surgeries or injuries you've had and family history of syringomyelia
• All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
• Questions to ask your doctor.

For syringomyelia, questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
• Are there other possible causes?
• Is it possible my symptoms will get better on their own?
• What tests do I need?
• What is the best course of action?
• Can exercise help?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I may have? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you questions, including:

• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

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.