Radiographic studies of the ventricles in syringomyelia.
Radiographic investigations of 171 patients with "communicating' syringomyelia have been reviewed. Hydrocephalus was found in one-third of the cases and has occasionally progressed after operation on the posterior fossa, sometimes with accompanying clinical deterioration. The outlets of the fourth ventricle were usually abnormal; tonsillar descent, arachnoiditis and both together were seen. Arachnoiditis correlated strongly with a history of difficult birth. The foramen of Magendie was sometimes patent and sometimes blocked. There was no consistent level of occlusion corresponding to a persistent roof of the fourth ventricle. The cisterna magna was usually small or obliterated but some examples of large cisterns or subarachnoid pouches were found. Radiological demonstration of a communication from the fourth ventricle to the syrinx occurred in only seven patients by positive contrast material and not by air. It is suggested that a sizable communication is rare at the time when patients seek treatment.
D000328:Adult; D001100:Arachnoiditis / Q000150:complications; D014695:Cerebral Ventriculography; D002648:Child; D003287:Contrast Media; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media