Korean J Neurotrauma.  2014 Oct;10(2):66-69. 10.13004/kjnt.2014.10.2.66.

Clinical Features of Post-Traumatic Syringomyelia

• Kim HG
• Oh HS
• Kim TW
• Park KH

• KMID: 2256233
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2014.10.2.66

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical manifestations, radiological findings, treatment results, and clinical significance of post-traumatic syringomyelia (PTS).
METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of nine surgical patients with symptomatic PTS between 1992 and 2012.
RESULTS
The most common clinical manifestation was development of new motor weakness. The mean interval between the initial injury and the onset of new symptoms 21.9 years. The mean length of the syringes observed on preoperative magnetic resonance images was 7.8 spinal levels. Shunting procedures were performed in five patients. Four patients underwent arachnoidolysis and duraplasty. Patients developed mechanical shunt failure. Postoperatively, one patient showed clinical improvement, four patients were stable, and four patients showed deterioration.
CONCLUSION
PTS is a disabling sequelae of spinal cord injury, which develops months to years after spinal injury. We have to consider that patients with PTS may have poor long-term outcome.

Keyword

Spinal cord injuries; Syringomyelia; Decompression surgical; Duraplasty; Arachnoidolysis

MeSH Terms

Humans
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Injuries
Syringes
Syringomyelia*

Figure

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  FIGURE 1 A: Magnetic resonance image (MRI) of whole spine shows a large syrinx from C7 to T12. B-E: Sagittal (B, C), axial (D, E)view of MRI shows bony fragment encroachment at the L2 vertebra.

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