Syringomyelie - Diagnose, klinisches Erscheinungsbild und Therapie - eine retrospektive Analyse von 110 Patienten

Abstract

Syringomyelia is a progressive cystic caviation of the spinal cord with various clinical symptoms. A disorder in the route of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation is the most important factor in the pathophysiology of syringomyelia. In our study we analysed 110 patients with syringomyelia who received medical treatment between 1986 and 2004 in the military hospital of Ulm. They were classified in groups, according to the cause of the syringomelia. 16 persons had a syringomyelia occurring from chiari I malformation, 11 with chiari II malformation, 4 with other malformations, 4 with tumor, 5 after operations, 25 with degenerative spinal diseases, 22 after spinal trauma and 2 after infection. 21 cases (19,1 %) were diagnosed as being a idiopathic syringomyelia. In the median a syringomyelia is located over 6 spinal levels and it can be developed in cranial and caudal direction. There is no correlation between the extent of the syringomyelia, the clinical symptoms and the site of the disorder of the CSF flow. Each group has to be observed for itself. After detailed magnetic resonance imaging of the the brain and the spine with dynamic phase-contrast, clear operating indication and the adequate operation technique surgery should give stabilization or improvement of the clinical symptoms of patients with syringomyelia.