Abstract
A retrospective study was made on 7 cases of post-traumatic syringomyelia, which included 4 male and 3 female patients. Initially 5 cases were incomplete paraplegic and two other cases showed complete transverse lesions of the cervical cord in one case and of thoracic spinal cord in another case.
The period between the time of initial trauma and the time of the onset of syringomyelia ranged from 1.5 years to 22 years and diagnosis were made at 3 months to 4 years after the onset of initial symptoms, which were brought by straining, coughing or other stressful activity. Initially four patients complained of pain above their original spinal levels. Dissociated sensory loss and flaccid motor weakness were characteristically noticed mainly in their unilateral upper extremities. Sensory impairment in the trigeminal areas was found in 5 cases.
Delayed CT scanning after myelography and magnetic resonance images (M. R. I) were extremely useful in diagnosing syringomyelia. Especially MRI was useful not only to determine the site of myelotomy but also to evaluate the post-operative results. In all seven cases bi-directional syrinx-subarachnoid shunting was carried out to improve the circulatory dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid at the site of primary spinal cord lesions. Neurological improvement, especially motor recovery was satisfactory and no serious complication was noticed postoperatively.
Pathogenesis of this condition was discussed and the partial meningeal adhesion at the originally injured site was thought to be a major causative foctor.
This surgical procedure was thought to be a choice of treatment to manage the neurological symptoms in this condition.
