Pathogenesis and treatment of delayed post-traumatic syringomyelia.
The role of trauma in the pathogenesis of syringomyelia has been known for a long time. Repeated microtraumata have been considered to play a role in triggering the classical syringomyelia on the basis of a congenital predisposition. It has been proven that post-traumatic arachnoiditis can cause cavitation in the spinal cord and probably syringomyelia stricto sensu as well. The delayed appearance of syringomyelia after a severe single spinal trauma resulting in contusion of the spinal cord without the complication of arachnoiditis is a more recent issue, but is now well-known. Delayed syringomyelia after a minor single spinal trauma, with at first complete recovery, is extremely rare, and is probably often disregarded as a diagnosis. Having studied such a case, with complete neuroradiological work-up, we want to draw attention to the pathogenetic aspects and the possibilities for treatment, of which the syringoperitoneal shunt seems to be the most efficient one.
Van den Bergh
R
R
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
D000328:Adult; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010537:Peritoneum; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*