How serious is syringomyelia?
In some people, syringomyelia can progress and lead to serious complications. Others have no symptoms. Possible complications as a syrinx enlarges or if it damages nerves within your spinal cord include: An abnormal curve of your spine (scoliosis)
What sensory system is affected by syringomyelia?
This syndrome is characterized by dysphagia, nystagmus, pharyngeal and palatal weakness, asymmetric weakness and atrophy of the tongue, and sensory loss involving primarily pain and temperature senses in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve.
How is syringomyelia treated?
Surgical removal of obstructions such as scar tissue, bone from the spinal canal, or tumors can help restore the normal flow of CSF. If a tumor is causing syringomyelia, Removing a tumor that is causing syringomyelia almost always eliminates the syrinx. Occasionally, radiation also may be used to shrink the tumor.
What is the main cause of syringomyelia?
The majority of cases of syringomyelia are associated with a complex brain abnormality known as a Chiari malformation. Additional known causes of syringomyelia include tethered cord syndrome, meningitis (arachnoiditis), certain tumors of the spinal cord, and trauma.
Does syringomyelia cause death?
Syringobulbia-myelia with obstructive sleep apnea. Risk of sudden death during sleep in syringomyelia and syringobulbia. are additional respiratory hazards of this disorder. Of note is the fact that of the 12 patients described in the literature with SM/SB, 5 did die suddenly.
What does a syrinx feel like?
It is common to have a loss of sensation that spreads like a cape over the shoulders and back. Late in the condition, the affected individual may have spastic muscles or weakness of the legs. Other symptoms can include: A loss in the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands.
What type of doctor do you see for cervicogenic headaches?
Physical therapy and an ongoing exercise regimen often produce the best outcomes. Other providers that may need to be involved in management of cervicogenic headache include physical therapists, pain specialists (who can do the injections/blocks) and sometimes neurosurgeons or orthopedic surgeons.
What mimics cervicogenic headache?
Occipital neuralgia and cervicogenic headache are secondary headache disorders that share similar clinical features of posterior headache, neck pain, and referred fronto-orbital pain.