J Korean Acad Rehabil Med.  2005 Feb;29(1):145-148.

Syringomyelia Presenting as Lower Cervical Radiculopathy: A case report

• Kim SA
• Chung JS
• Kim HS
• Koh JH
• Lee YG

Abstract

Syringomyelia may present with confusing, unilateral patterns of segmental muscle involvement and dissociated sensory loss. The objective of this study was to report a patient with syringomyelia and Chiari malformation type 1 (CM 1) who had an unusual presentation suggesting lower cervical radiculopathy. A 50-year-old woman presented with clinical evidence of left lower cervical radiculopathy. Nerve conduction studies revealed normal in both motor and sensory nerves of the left upper extremity. Electromyography showed abnormal spontaneous activities in the paracervical muscles at C7-T1 levels and in some examined muscles of the left upper extremity such as abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging of cervical spine demonstrated syringomyelia at C4- T4 levels. Syringomyelia may clinically mimic lower cervical radiculopathy.

Keyword

Syringomyelia; Chiari malformation; Electromyography

MeSH Terms

Electromyography
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Muscles
Neural Conduction
Radiculopathy*
Spine
Syringomyelia*
Upper Extremity