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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Although it's unclear exactly how and why it happens, when syringomyelia develops, cerebrospinal fluid — the fluid that surrounds, cushions and protects your brain and spinal cord — collects within the spinal cord itself, forming a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx).
The following conditions and diseases can lead to syringomyelia:
- Chiari malformation — a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into your spinal canal
- Meningitis — an inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord
- Tethered spinal cord syndrome — a disorder caused when tissue attached to your spinal cord limits its movement
- A spinal cord tumor
- A spine injury
- Sung WS. Spontaneous regression of syringomyelia — review of the current aetiological theories and implications for surgery. Journal of Clinical Neurosciences. 2008;15:1185.
- NINDS syringomyelia information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/syringomyelia/syringomyelia.htm. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Hauser SL, et al. Diseases of the spinal cord. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2904462&searchStr=syringomyelia. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- What is syringomyelia? American Syringomyelia Alliance Project. http://www.asap.org/syringomyelia. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Aminoff MJ. Nervous system disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, 2009. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=13162&searchStr=syringomyelia. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Aminoff MJ, et al. Disorders of somatic sensation. In: Aminoff MJ, et al. Clinical Neurology. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2082386&searchStr=syringomyelia. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
- Cavanaugh J. Exercise concepts for individuals with syringomyelia. American Syringomyelia Alliance Project. http://www.asap.org/articles/Cavanaugh.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2009.
