Diagnosis

Your healthcare professional asks about your medical history and do a complete physical exam. In some cases, syringomyelia might be discovered during a spine MRI or CT scan conducted for other reasons.

If your healthcare professional suspects you may have syringomyelia, you may need to undergo testing. Tests may include:

  • MRI. An MRI scan of the spine and spinal cord is the most reliable tool for diagnosing syringomyelia.

    An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of the spine and spinal cord. If a syrinx has developed within the spinal cord, it is visible on the MRI scan.

    The MRI might be repeated over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.

  • CT scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of the spine and spinal cord. It can reveal tumors or other spine conditions.

Treatment

Treatment for syringomyelia depends on how bad the symptoms are and the size of the syrinx.

Monitoring

If syringomyelia isn't causing symptoms, it may not need treatment. Your healthcare professional may check it from time to time with MRI and neurological exams.

Surgery

Surgery may be needed if syringomyelia is causing symptoms that get in the way of your life, or if symptoms rapidly worsen.

The goal of surgery is to remove the pressure the syrinx places on the spinal cord and to restore the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This can help improve symptoms and nervous system function. The type of surgery needed depends on the cause of syringomyelia.

To reduce pressure on the brain and spinal cord, surgery options include:

  • Treating Chiari malformation. If syringomyelia is caused by a Chiari malformation, surgery might involve removing a small section of bone at the back of the skull. This surgery can reduce pressure on the brain and spinal cord and restore the regular flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Surgery may improve or clear syringomyelia.
  • Draining the syrinx. Your healthcare professional inserts a drainage system, called a shunt. It consists of a flexible tube that keeps fluid from the syrinx flowing in the desired direction. One end of the tubing is placed in the syrinx, and the other is placed in another area of the body such as the abdomen.
  • Removing the obstruction. Sometimes something within the spinal cord is interfering with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Examples include a tumor or a bone spur. Surgically removing the obstruction might clear the flow. This can allow fluid to drain from the syrinx.
  • Correcting the irregularity. If a spinal irregularity is hindering the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, surgery may be needed. For example, surgery can release a tethered spinal cord and restore fluid flow. This allows the syrinx to drain.

Surgery doesn't always fix the syrinx. Sometimes the syrinx remains even after efforts to drain the fluid from it.

Follow-up care

Syringomyelia can come back after surgery. You'll need regular exams with your healthcare team. You might need an MRI now and then to check the outcome of surgery.

The syrinx can grow over time and may require more treatment. Even after treatment, some symptoms of syringomyelia can remain. This is because a syrinx can cause permanent damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following steps might help reduce the effects of syringomyelia.

Avoid activities that can make symptoms worse

Avoid activities that involve heavy lifting, straining or putting force on the spine.

Consider physical therapy and occupational therapy

A syringomyelia sometimes causes neurological conditions that decrease the ability to move. For instance, it may cause muscle weakness, pain, fatigue or stiffness. Physical and occupational therapy can help to improve muscle function. A physical therapist can create an exercise program that may help reduce these symptoms. An occupational therapist can teach you how to function better in your daily tasks.

Talk to your healthcare team about physical and occupational therapists in your area who have expertise in neurological conditions.

Manage chronic pain

If you have chronic pain from syringomyelia, talk to your healthcare team about treatment options. Many medical centers have doctors who specialize in pain management.

Coping and support

Living with syringomyelia and its complications can be challenging. Having someone to talk with, whether a friend, counselor or therapist, can be invaluable. Or you might find the support and encouragement you need in a syringomyelia support group.

Ask your healthcare professional to recommend a local group or look for groups online. A support group provides a place for sharing experiences. It also can be a good source of information and offer helpful tips for people with syringomyelia.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family healthcare professional. You might get a referral to see a neurologist. A neurologist is a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance. If you have past medical reports, MRI scans or CT scans that might relate to your condition, bring them to your appointment.

Take a family member or friend to your appointment, if possible, to help you remember the information you receive.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began
  • Key personal information, including spinal or back surgeries or injuries you've had and family history of syringomyelia
  • All medications, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses
  • Questions to ask your healthcare professional.

For syringomyelia, questions to ask your healthcare professional include:

  • What is the likely cause of my symptoms or condition?
  • Are there other possible causes?
  • Is it possible my symptoms will get better on their own?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • Can exercise help?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I may have? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional is likely to ask you questions, including:

  • Have your symptoms been ongoing, or do they come and go?
  • How bad are your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

Avoid doing anything that worsens your symptoms. For many people with syringomyelia, heavy lifting and straining can trigger symptoms, so avoid these activities. Also, avoid flexing the neck.

By Mayo Clinic Staff