Multiple sclerosis and non-communicating syringomyelia: a casual association or linked diseases?
Non-communicating syringomyelia (NCS) can be associated with different disease processes such as arachnoidytis, trauma or tumor. Approximately 12 cases, documented radiographically, of the association of non-communicating syringomyelia and multiple sclerosis (MS) have been described but their relationship remains obscure. In 3 patients with laboratory supported MS spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a central cystic cavity. In 2 patients lesions on the spinal cord above the cavity were demonstrated. At 3-year follow-up in 1 patient, no change in the cavity was detected. Although 3 cases are insufficient for providing a definitive conclusion on the relationship between these two diseases, we suggest that demyelinating lesions have to be regarded as possible causes of spinal, asymptomatic cavities.
Solaro
C
C
Department of Neurological Sciences and Rehabilitation, University of Genoa, Italy.
Uccelli
A
A
Gentile
R
R
Lentino
C
C
Mancardi
G L
GL
Primavera
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology