Medicine & USMLE

Syringomyelia

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Spinal Lesions
  1. UMN vs. LMN Lesions
  2. Werdnig-Hoffman Disease (SMA Type 1)
  3. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  4. Tabes Dorsalis
  5. Cauda Equina Syndrome
  6. Syringomyelia
  7. Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Syringomyelia

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Summary

Syringomyelia refers to a fluid-filled cavity, or a syrinx, in the cervical region of the spinal cord. This syrinx enlarges over time and damages the anterior white commissure of the spinothalamic tract. This results in a bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation, which follows a cape-like distribution. Syringomyelia is also commonly associated with Chiari 1 malformations.

Key Points

  • Syringomyelia
    • Pathology
      • Fluid-filled cavity or bubble (syrinx) forms in cervical region of spinal cord
        • Damages anterior white commissure of spinothalamic tract (2nd order neuron)
          • Bilateral symmetric loss of pain and temperature sensation
          • Follows a cape-like distribution
      • Seen with Chiari I malformation