title: AAEM case report #24: electrodiagnosis in posttraumatic syringomyelia.
abstract: An adult male with C-7 quadriplegia developed neck pain. Axillary F central latencies were prolonged, and MRI showed a syrinx extending to C-1. After shunting, F latencies normalized. At subsequent follow-up, a rostral syrinx persisted by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); motor evoked potential (MEP) latencies were prolonged but F latencies were normal. Later, the syrinx was less distended by MRI, MEPs normalized, and strength improved. We discuss the electrophysiologic methods available for diagnosing and monitoring posttraumatic syringomyelia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004576:Electromyography; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology