title: Clinical course of incidental syringomyelia without predisposing pathologies.
abstract: Although the widespread use of MRI has facilitated the diagnosis of subclinical syringomyelia, little information has been established regarding its natural course. To elucidate the clinical course and treatment strategy of incidental syringomyelia without predisposing pathologies, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of 12 adult patients with incidental syringomyelia. No patients had any predisposing pathology, including Chiari malformation or spinal cord tumor. Using the medical records and MRI, we analyzed the neurological and radiological features of each patient. After a mean of 39.9 months follow-up, no patient developed neurological deterioration. Although one patient had radiological progression without neurological deterioration, 11 patients (91.7%) had no change on MRI. Additionally, all patients experienced a favorable clinical course without surgery. These results indicate that, for patients with incidental syringomyelia without predisposing pathology, close observation rather than surgery can be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jiha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chi Heon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae-Ahn
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Jahng
authors.forename: Chun Kee
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D000075202:Contraindications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult