what do u know about syringomyelia?
By sejakuvara
@sejakuvara (20)
China
March 12, 2009 3:07am CST
Syringomyelia (IPA: /s??r??go?ma?'i?li?/) is a generic term referring to a disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord. Since the spinal cord connects the brain to nerves in the extremities, this damage may result in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs. Syringomyelia may also cause a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands. Each patient experiences a different combination of symptoms. These symptoms typically vary depending on the extent and, often more critically, to the location of the syrinx within the spinal cord
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5 responses
@patodra (21)
• China
12 Mar 09
Other, more common disorders share the early symptoms of syringomyelia. In the past, this has made diagnosis difficult. The advent of one diagnostic test, however, called magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, has significantly increased the number of syringomyelia cases diagnosed in the beginning stages of the disorder
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@lakdikuyira (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
Syringomyelia has a prevalence estimated at 8.4 cases per 100,000 people,[1] or about 21,000 Americans, with symptoms usually beginning in young adulthood. Signs of the disorder tend to develop slowly, although sudden onset may occur with coughing, straining, or myelopathy. If not treated surgically, syringomyelia may lead to progressive weakness in the extremities[2], loss of hand sensation, chronic pain and potentially total paralysis
4 people like this
@rapatod (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
A watery, protective substance known as cerebrospinal fluid normally flows around the spinal cord and brain, transporting nutrients and waste products. It also serves to cushion the brain. Excess cerebrospinal fluid in the central canal of the spinal cord is called hydromyelia. This term refers to increased cerebrospinal fluid that is contained within the ependyma of the central canal. When the fluid dissects into the surrounding white matter, the term syringomyelia is applied. As these conditions coexist in the majority of cases, the term syringohydromyelia is applied. However, most physicians use the terms interchangeably
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@sejakuvadra (20)
• China
12 Mar 09
A number of medical conditions can cause an obstruction in the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, redirecting it into the spinal cord itself. For reasons that are only now becoming clear, this results in syrinx formation. Cerebrospinal fluid fills the syrinx. Pressure differences along the spine cause the fluid to move within the cyst. Physicians believe that it is this continual movement of fluid that results in cyst growth and further damage to the spinal cord
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@grjohnson (8)
• United States
13 Mar 09
Well, I sure wouldn't like to have that. (or anything close to this)
