title: Generalised spinal cord atrophy, Chiari-I malformation, and syringomyelia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the simultaneous occurrence of generalised spinal cord atrophy, Chiari-I malformation, and syringomyelia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vienna, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 83-year old woman presented with predominantly lower limb and distal tetraparesis, diffuse wasting, spasticity of both lower limbs, contractures, and severe kyphoscoliosis. Radiographic examinations revealed generalised spinal cord atrophy, Chiari-I malformation, and syringomyelia between C5 and C7. The generalised spinal cord atrophy was assumed to be due to either secondary atrophy or spontaneous collapse of a formerly more extensive syringomyelia. All other causes for generalised spinal cord atrophy were excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Generalised spinal cord atrophy in a patient with Chiari-I malformation and syringomyelia may be due to either secondary atrophy or spontaneous collapse of a formerly holocord syringomyelia. Myelography and MRI imaging of the spine are helpful in diagnosing this condition.
authors.affiliation: Second Neurological Department, Neurological Hospital Rosenhügel, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finsterer
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lubec
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Samec
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001284:Atrophy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009192:Myelography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed