Comparative study on CT and MRI in diagnosis of vertebral burst fracture

Objective:To evaluate the dignostic value of CT and MRI in diagnosis and directing management of vertebral burstfractures. Methods: The imaging features of 66 cases of vertebral burst fracture were retrospectively analyzed, including cervicalvertebrae in 6, thoracic vertebrae in 3, thoracolumbar area in 48 and lumbar vertebrae in 9 cases; 50 male and 16 female; withan average age of 35 years. CT and MRI were done in all patients. Results: CT clearly demonstrated the fracture of the vertebraeand appendix, spinal canal stenosis and retropulsed fragments. MRI showed the injury and tear of ligament and intervertebral disc,abnormal signals and spinal cord compression. Condusion: CT and MR] can make precise diagnosis of burst fractures. CombiningCT with MR] can reveal the injury status of burst fractures and help the surgeon to select a proper surgical technique.     

Clinical manifestations and significance of post-traumatic thoracolumbar syringomyelia

Objective: To analyze the pathogenic mechanism and the clinical significance of post-traumatic thoracolumbar syringomyella through reviewing the clinical manifestations. Methods: The data of 15 patients (14 males and 1 female, aged from 28 to 56 years, with an average of 36 years) with post-traumatic syringomyelia treated in our hospital from December 1997 to February 2002 were studied retrospectively. Two patients suffered from T11 fractures, 7 from T12 fractures and 6 from L1 fractures. There were 12 patients with burst fractures and 3 with fracture dislocations. Anterior decompression, bone graft, bone fusion and internal fixation were made on 6 patients,posterior decompression, bone graft, bone fusion and internal fixation on 1 patient, and non-surgical treatment on 8 patients. Results. Syringomyelia of the patients was diagnosed accurately with magnetic resonance imaging at 0.5-4 years after the original thoracolumbar fracture. The cavern was round in 6 cases, elliptic in 6 cases, and irregular in 3 cases. The patients also suffered from pain (80%), myodynamia attenuation in lower extremities (66.7%), aggravated spasm (46.7%), sensation loss or hypesthesia (46.7%), decreased coordinate function of lower extremities (20%) and autonomic nerve symptom (6.7%). Conclusions： Post-traumatic thoracolumbar syringomyelia should be suspected if the patient has new neurological symptoms, such as myodynamia attenuation in lower extremities, after the neural function becomes stable for certain time.     

脊髓线预测颈椎后路开门术后脊髓减压效果的临床研究

Objectives To report a new index (the SC-line) and a new classification for predicting of postoperative spinal cord decompression after cervical laminoplasty. Methods From March 2008 to August 2009, MRI images of 25 patients treated with cervical laminoplasty were retrospectively studied.Using T2-weighted images of the cervical spine, point A was anterior point of the spinal cord at inferior endplate level of cranial compressed vertebra. Point B was anterior point of the spinal cord at superior endplate level of caudal compressed vertebra. The SC-line was defined as a line that connects A and B.Posterior surface of compressor at compression level did not exceed the line in Type Ⅰ , connected the line in Type Ⅱ , and exceeded it in Type Ⅲ . Twenty-five patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty were classified into 3 groups according to the SC-line classification. The posterior shift of the spinal cord after the posterior decompression procedure was evaluated by using a modified gradation of degree of anterior spinal cord compression by MRI finding. The relationship between the degree of anterior spinal cord compression after surgery and the SC-line types were analyzed. Results Preoperative cervical SC-line classification showed high correlations to the degree of spinal cord decompression. There were 3. 82 ± 0. 39 points in Type Ⅰ before surgery, 3. 90 ±0. 32 points in Type Ⅱ , and 4. 00 ±0. 00 points in Type Ⅲ , respectively. After surgery, there were 1. 15 ±0. 50 points in Type Ⅰ , 2. 70 ±0. 48 points in Type Ⅱ , and 3. 50 ±0. 55 points in Type Ⅲ, respectively. Significant differences were found between each Type ( F = 42. 49, P ＜ 0. 01; Type Ⅰ vs. Type Ⅱ : P＜0. 01;Type Ⅰvs. Type Ⅲ: P ＜0. 01;Type Ⅱ vs. Type Ⅲ: P =0.038). Conclusion SC-line can be used to predict the degree of postoperative spinal cord decompression following cervical laminoplasty.     

脊髓线预测颈椎后路开门术后脊髓减压效果的临床研究

Objectives To report a new index (the SC-line) and a new classification for predicting of postoperative spinal cord decompression after cervical laminoplasty. Methods From March 2008 to August 2009, MRI images of 25 patients treated with cervical laminoplasty were retrospectively studied.Using T2-weighted images of the cervical spine, point A was anterior point of the spinal cord at inferior endplate level of cranial compressed vertebra. Point B was anterior point of the spinal cord at superior endplate level of caudal compressed vertebra. The SC-line was defined as a line that connects A and B.Posterior surface of compressor at compression level did not exceed the line in Type Ⅰ , connected the line in Type Ⅱ , and exceeded it in Type Ⅲ . Twenty-five patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty were classified into 3 groups according to the SC-line classification. The posterior shift of the spinal cord after the posterior decompression procedure was evaluated by using a modified gradation of degree of anterior spinal cord compression by MRI finding. The relationship between the degree of anterior spinal cord compression after surgery and the SC-line types were analyzed. Results Preoperative cervical SC-line classification showed high correlations to the degree of spinal cord decompression. There were 3. 82 ± 0. 39 points in Type Ⅰ before surgery, 3. 90 ±0. 32 points in Type Ⅱ , and 4. 00 ±0. 00 points in Type Ⅲ , respectively. After surgery, there were 1. 15 ±0. 50 points in Type Ⅰ , 2. 70 ±0. 48 points in Type Ⅱ , and 3. 50 ±0. 55 points in Type Ⅲ, respectively. Significant differences were found between each Type ( F = 42. 49, P ＜ 0. 01; Type Ⅰ vs. Type Ⅱ : P＜0. 01;Type Ⅰvs. Type Ⅲ: P ＜0. 01;Type Ⅱ vs. Type Ⅲ: P =0.038). Conclusion SC-line can be used to predict the degree of postoperative spinal cord decompression following cervical laminoplasty.     

脊髓线预测颈椎后路开门术后脊髓减压效果的临床研究

Objectives To report a new index (the SC-line) and a new classification for predicting of postoperative spinal cord decompression after cervical laminoplasty. Methods From March 2008 to August 2009, MRI images of 25 patients treated with cervical laminoplasty were retrospectively studied.Using T2-weighted images of the cervical spine, point A was anterior point of the spinal cord at inferior endplate level of cranial compressed vertebra. Point B was anterior point of the spinal cord at superior endplate level of caudal compressed vertebra. The SC-line was defined as a line that connects A and B.Posterior surface of compressor at compression level did not exceed the line in Type Ⅰ , connected the line in Type Ⅱ , and exceeded it in Type Ⅲ . Twenty-five patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty were classified into 3 groups according to the SC-line classification. The posterior shift of the spinal cord after the posterior decompression procedure was evaluated by using a modified gradation of degree of anterior spinal cord compression by MRI finding. The relationship between the degree of anterior spinal cord compression after surgery and the SC-line types were analyzed. Results Preoperative cervical SC-line classification showed high correlations to the degree of spinal cord decompression. There were 3. 82 ± 0. 39 points in Type Ⅰ before surgery, 3. 90 ±0. 32 points in Type Ⅱ , and 4. 00 ±0. 00 points in Type Ⅲ , respectively. After surgery, there were 1. 15 ±0. 50 points in Type Ⅰ , 2. 70 ±0. 48 points in Type Ⅱ , and 3. 50 ±0. 55 points in Type Ⅲ, respectively. Significant differences were found between each Type ( F = 42. 49, P ＜ 0. 01; Type Ⅰ vs. Type Ⅱ : P＜0. 01;Type Ⅰvs. Type Ⅲ: P ＜0. 01;Type Ⅱ vs. Type Ⅲ: P =0.038). Conclusion SC-line can be used to predict the degree of postoperative spinal cord decompression following cervical laminoplasty.     

Results of the open surgery after endoscopic basket impaction during ERCP procedure

AIM:To report the results of open surgery for patients with basket impaction during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) procedure.METHODS: Basket impaction of either classical Dormia basket or mechanical lithotripter basket with an entrapped stone occurred in six patients.These patients were immediately operated for removal of stone(s) and impacted basket.The postoperative course,length of hospital stay,diameter of the stone,complication and the surgical procedure of the patients were reported retrospectively.RESULTS: Six patients(M/F,0/6) were operated due to impacted basket during ERCP procedure.The mean age of the patients was 64.33 ± 14.41 years.In all cases the surgery was performed immediately after the failed ERCP procedure by making a rightsubcostal incision.The baskets containing the stone were removed through longitudinal choledochotomy with the stone.The choledochotomy incisions were closed by primary closure in four patients and T tube placement in two patients.All patients were also performed cholecystectomy additionally since they had cholelithiasis.In patients with T-tube placement it was removed on the 13 th day after a normal T-tube cholangiogram.The patients remained stable at postoperative period and discharged without any complication at median 7 d.CONCLUSION: Open surgical procedures can be applied in patients with basket impaction during ERCP procedure in selected cases.     

Damage control of multiple injuries headed by cervica spinal cord injury

Objective ： To explore the strategy of damage control in clinical treatment of multiple injuries headed by cervical spinal cord injury. Methods： A retrospective analysis was performed in 32 patients. Cervical fractures associated with tetraplegia occurred in 18 patients, traumatic intervectebral disk hernia associated with tetraplegia in 2 patients, and cervical fractures and dislocation associated with tetraplegia in 12 patients. Seventeen cases were combined with craniocerebral injury, 7 combined with pulmonary contusion, multi-fractures of rib or hemopneumothorax, 2 combined with pelvic fracture and other 8 combined with fracture of limbs. The neural function was assessed by the American Spinal Injury Association （ASIA） scale. Results： Thirty-one patients were followed up for an average of 14 months. Of them, 10 got complete recovery, 13 obtained improvement of more than one ASIA grade, 8 did not improve, and 1 died. Conclusions ： For the emergency treatment of multiple injuries headed by cervical spinal cord injury, the damage control strategy is the principle to follow. The final operations are preferably performed within 5 to 10 days after injury so as to raise the successful rate of remedy.     

Operative treatment for cervical fracture and dislocation with blunt unilateral vertebral artery injury

Objective： To investigate risks and clinical effects of operative treatment for cervical vertebral fracture and dislocation associated with unilateral vertebral artery injury. Methods： This group consisted of 76 cases of closed cervical spine trauma combined with unilateral vertebral artery injury （23 cases of bilateral facet dislocation, 28 unilateral facet dislocation and 25 fracture）. All patients underwent prospective examination of cervical spine MRI and vertebral artery two-dimensional time-of-flight （2D TOF） magnetic resonance angiography （MRA）, and anterior cervical decompression. The healthy vertebral artery paths were evaluated before the surgery, and were protected during the surgery according to the anatomical signs. Results： There were no acute or chronic clinical dam- age symptoms in 76 cases after surgery. No neural damage symptoms were observed in patients with normal neural functions. The neural functions of incomplete paralyzed patients were improved in different grades. Conclusions： Reliable anterior operation can produce good results for cervical fracture and dislocation with unilateral vertebral artery injury. Detecting the course of uninjured vertebral artery before operation and locating the anatomical site during operation are effective to avoid damaging vertebral artery of uninjured side.     

Application of damage control orthopedics in 41 patients with severe multiple injuries

Objective： To probe the feasibility and efficacy of damage control orthopedics （DCO） in treating severe multiple injuries. Methods： A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 41 patients （31 males and 10 females, aged 18-71 years, mean： 36.4） with multiple injuries admitted to our department and treated by DCO from January 1995 to December 2005.
Results： As a first-stage therapy, devascularization of internal iliac arteries was performed in 29 patients with pelvic fractures combined with massive bleeding, including ligation of bilateral internal iliac arteries in 21 patients and embolization of bilateral internal iliac arteries in 8. And early external fixation of pelvis was performed in 10 patients. Ten patients with severe multiple injuries combined with femoral fractures were managed with primary debridement and temporal external fixation and 2 patients with spinal fractures combined with spinal cord compression received simple laminectomy. Thirty-one patients received definite internal fixation after resuscitation in intensive care unit. The overall mortality rate was 12.1% （5/41） with an average injury severity score of 41.4. The main causes of death were hemorrhagic shock and associated injuries. Complications occurred in 7 patients including acute respiratory distress syndrome in 3 cases, thrombosis of right common iliac artery in 1, subphernic abscess in 2 and infection of deep wound in lower extremity in 1. After treatment, all the patients got cured.
Conclusions： Prompt diagnosis and integrated treatment are keys to higher survival rate in patients with severe multiple injuries. In this condition, DCO is an effective and safe option.     

Spinal cord injury of cervical vertibrae and early diagnosis and treatment

Objective:To sum up clinical data and CT and MRI examination in 22 patients with spinal cord injury of cervical vertebrae.Methods:CT and MRI examination of the 22 patients with spinal cord injury of cervical vertebrae revealed that 16 patients had spinal comprssion caused by fracture dislocation and protrusion of intervertebral disc,5 suffered from intramedullary hemorrhage and 1 had complete spinal cord injury.A combined modality therapy of intramedullary and extramedullary decompression for spinal cord,skull traction and avoiding reinjury to spinal cord were used. Results:According to Frankel Classification,before operation 3 cases were classified as A degree,2 as B degree,5as C degree,8 as D degree and 4 as Edegree;after operation 2 were classified as A degree,1 as B degree,6 as C degree,6 as D degree and 7 as E degree.Conclusions:Early diagnosis and timely treatmetn,clear mechanism and degree of injury and early selection of effective treatment are very important in raising the rate of curing spinal cord injury.     

脊髓空洞症的手术治疗与临床评价

目的：对脊髓空洞症应用外科手术治疗进行探讨,以提高该种病变的临床疗效。方法：129例脊髓空洞症经CT或MRI扫描检查确诊,应用外科手术治疗,并进行平均1．5年以上的随访及评判治疗效果。结果：86例经受空洞－蛛网膜下腔分流术或空洞切开术的病人,空洞腔均显闭合,43例单纯行枕－颈减压的Amold-Chiari畸形或脊髓闭合不全的病人,其空洞腔亦见明显缩小。结论：在脊髓空洞症病人宜采取外科手术治疗,而枕－颈减压,空洞切开术或空洞－蛛网膜下腔分流术是可供选择有效治疗方法。     

Magnetic resonance imaging of posttraumatic syringomyelia and its surgical treatment

Posttraumatic syringomyelia is an uncommon but significant late complication of spinal cord injury. It occurs in approximately 1.1 - 3.2% of cases of spinal injuries. With the increasing availability of CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the incidence of posttraumatic syringomyelia is increasing. The purpose of this report is to show MRI of posttraumatic syringomyelia and to assess the results of surgical treatment. Materials and Methods This series included 16 cases of posttraumatic syringomyelia studied with MRI. 9 out of 16 cases showed delayed deterioration of neurological symptoms following spinal injuries. The interval between the trauma and the delayed symptoms of deterioration was from 2 years 2 months to 32 years (mean, 8 years and 5 months). There were 13 men and 3 women. The age ranged from 22 to 69 years, with a mean age of 42 years. The initial spinal cord injury was located in the lower cervical region in 4 cases, the thoracic region in 8, and the upper lumbar region in 4. All the patients were studied with resistive 0.15T system (Toshiba MRT 15 A) or a superconductive 0.5T system (Toshiba MRT 50 A) or a superconductive 1.5T system (GE Sigma or Siemens Magnetom). Six patients underwent 8 operative procedures for posttraumatic syringomyelia. Syringoperitoneal shunt was performed in 4 patients, syringosubarachnoid shunt in 3 and ventriculoperitoneal shunt in one. Results 1. MRI In all cases, the posttraumatic syringomyelia was easily diagnosed by MRI. The syrinx extended superiorly and/or inferiorly from the area of the old trauma. In 4 out of 16 cases, the syrinx extended into the medulla oblongata.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Percutaneous drainage and serial magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of symptomatic posttraumatic syringomyelia: case report and review of the literature

A patient with high cervical tetraplegia with new-onset headaches and posttraumatic syringomyelia is presented. Percutaneous drainage of the syrinx resulted in a resolution of the headaches and collapse of the syrinx on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The return of the symptoms correlated with the re-expansion of the syrinx on MRI. The patient underwent syringopleural shunting with persistent resolution of the symptoms and collapse of the syrinx on MRI. The value of percutaneous drainage and serial MRI to determine the clinical significance of posttraumatic syringomyelia is discussed.     

Intradural spinal arachnoid cysts in adults

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic arachnoid cysts are rare lesions not associated with trauma or other inflammatory insults. To date, there have been few large series describing the presentation and management of these lesions. METHODS: Twenty-one cases of intradural spinal arachnoid cysts were identified (1994-2001). Pediatric patients and cases with antecedent trauma were excluded. There were eight women and 13 men with an average age of 52 years. Follow-up averaged 17 months. RESULTS: Cysts were most commonly found in the thoracic spine (81%). Fifteen cysts were dorsal to the spinal cord and six were ventral to the spinal cord. All patients underwent laminectomy with cyst fenestration and radical cyst wall resection. Based upon intraoperative ultrasonography, four cysts were also shunted to the subarachnoid space, and seven patients had an expansile duraplasty with freeze-dried dural allograft. Of the seven patients with syringomyelia, three resolved with extramedullary cyst resection alone. Four required syrinx to subarachnoid shunting. Follow-up MRI demonstrated cyst resolution in all cases. All seven intramedullary syrinxes were decreased in size and four resolved completely. Weakness (100%), hyperreflexia (91%), and incontinence (80%) were more likely to improve than neuropathic pain (44%) and numbness (33%). One patient had increased numbness postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Ventral cysts are more likely to cause weakness and myelopathic signs. Preoperative symptoms of neuropathic pain and numbness are less likely to improve than weakness and myelopathy. Utilizing intraoperative ultrasound to guide aggressive surgical treatment with the adjuncts of shunting and duraplasty results in a high rate of cyst and syrinx obliteration.     

Surgical treatment of syringomyelia: favorable results with syringosubarachnoid shunting

The authors review the clinical course of 29 patients who underwent syringosubarachnoid shunting for syringomyelia. Twenty-two patients presented hindbrain-related syringomyelia; seven patients had non-hindbrain-related syringomyelia secondary to trauma (four cases) and to spinal arachnoiditis (three cases). The surgical technique is described in detail. All patients showed postoperative deflation or collapse of the syrinx at follow-up magnetic resonance imaging evaluation. Symptoms stabilized in 17 cases (59%); 9 cases (31%) showed improvement in the neurological function; 3 cases (10%) presented delayed neurological deterioration, probably owing to spinal cord ischemia.     

Decompression of the spinal subarachnoid space as a solution for syringomyelia without Chiari malformation

STUDY DESIGN: Review and analysis of seven cases of syringomyelia treated surgically. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the beneficial role of decompressive surgery for the altered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics in syringomyelia not associated with Chiari I malformation. A comparison between the pre- and post-operative syrinx size and CSF flow in the subarachnoid space was made using cine-mode magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) and then correlated with clinical improvement. SETTING: University Hospital, Seoul, Korea. METHODS: Conventional spinal MRI and cine-MRI were performed in the region of CSF flow obstruction preoperatively in seven patients with syringomyelia not associated with Chiari I malformation. The group consisted of one case of syrinx with post-traumatic compression fracture, one case of post-traumatic arachnoiditis, two cases of holocord syrinx associated with hydrocephalus without Chiari malformation, one case of syrinx with post-traumatic pseudomeningeal cyst, one case of post-laminectomy kyphosis-associated syringomyelia and one case of post-tuberculous arachnoiditis syringomyelia. Based on the preoperative cine-MRI, the types of surgery appropriate to correct the CSF flow obstruction were chosen: decompressive laminectomy-adhesiolysis and augmentation duraplasty in arachnoiditis cases, ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus, cyst extirpation in pseudomeningeal cyst and both anterior and posterior decompression-fusion in the case of post-laminectomy kyphosis. A syrinx-draining shunt operation was performed in three cases; where the syringomyelia was associated with post-traumatic compression fracture refractory to a previous decompression, where hydrocephalus was present in which the decompression by ventriculoperitoneal shunt was insufficient and where post-traumatic arachnoiditis was present in which the decompression was impossible due to diffuse adhesion. Change in syrinx size was evaluated with post-operative MRI in all seven cases and restoration of flow dynamics was evaluated with cine-MRI in three of the cases, two patients with clinical improvement and one patient with no change of clinical status, respectively. RESULTS: Four out of seven patients showed symptomatic improvement after each decompressive operation. In the remaining three cases, reconstruction of the spinal subarachnoid space was not possible due to diffuse adhesion or was not the main problem as in the patient with syrinx associated with hydrocephalus who had to undergo a shunt operation. One of these three patients showed clinical improvement after undergoing syringosubarachnoid shunt. A decrease of syrinx size was observed in only two out of the five patients who showed clinical improvement after treatment. Of these five patients, two patients underwent post-operative cine-MRI and the restoration of normal CSF flow dynamics was noted in both patients. Of the remaining two patients, one underwent post-operative cine-MRI and there was no change in the CSF flow dynamics evident. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the restoration of CSF flow dynamics between the syrinx and the subarachnoid space by decompressive operation is more effective than simple drainage of the syrinx cavity itself in the treatment of syringomyelia without Chiari malformation.     

Syringo-subarachnoid shunt for syringomyelia using partial hemilaminectomy.

Syringo-subarachnoid shunt (S-S shunt) is one of the established surgical procedures for syringomyelia. However, this procedure requires a laminectomy which may lead to spinal column complications. We present a modified form of S-S shunt using a partial hemilaminectomy; a S-S shunt is placed via the dorsal root entry zone into the anterior subarachnoid space which is considered to be an ideal site for the drainage of the syrinx fluid. This technique will decrease the incidence of neuronal and spinal complications after surgery and avoid subarachnoid adhesions around the shunt tube. Between 1992 and 1997, a total of 24 patients with syringomyelia have been treated with this surgical procedure without any complications. Collapse of the syrinx was achieved in all cases. The authors believe that the procedure is an effective surgical treatment for syringomyelia and can be applied safely to adolescent and child cases.     

Terminal ventriculostomy as an adjuvant treatment of complex syringomyelia: a case report and review of the literature

Complex syringomyelia is multifactorial, and treatment strategies are highly individualized. In refractory cases, sectioning of the filum terminale, also known as terminal ventriculostomy, has been described as a potential adjuvant treatment to alleviate syrinx progression. A 10-year-old boy with a history of arachnoiditis presented with complex syringomyelia, progressive lower extremity motor weakness, and spasticity. Previously, he had failed spinal cord detethering and direct syrinx shunting. Imaging studies demonstrated a holocord syrinx extending to the level of his conus medullaris and into the filum terminale. The patient underwent an uncomplicated lumbar laminectomy and transection of the filum terminale. Operative pathologic specimens demonstrated a dilated central canal within the filum. Postoperative imaging demonstrated significant reduction in the diameter of the syrinx. At follow-up, the patient’s motor symptoms had improved. Terminal ventriculostomy may be a useful adjuvant in treating caudally placed syringes refractory to other treatments. This procedure carries low neurological risk and involves no hardware implantation. In select cases, terminal ventriculostomy may help preserve neurological function in the face of otherwise progressive syringomyelia.     

Symptomatic syringomyelia secondary to clinically obscure infratentorial tumour

The formation of a cervical spinal cord syrinx as a result of an infratentorial mass, even though uncommon, has been reported in international literature. In such cases, syringomyelia is usually asymptomatic, while the tumour-related symptoms and signs predominate. We report a patient with a posterior fossa tumour and secondary syringomyelia. In this patient, syringomyelia symptoms and signs were present, and a cervical spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a large cervical syrinx. A more careful clinical examination though, revealed a sub-clinical posterior fossa syndrome and brain MRI revealed a large infratentorial meningioma. A posterior fossa craniotomy was performed, followed by complete tumour resection and almost complete remission of the syrinx and its related symptoms. The authors discuss the role of posterior fossa tumour induced tonsillar herniation in the development of secondary syringomyelia, the mechanisms leading to syrinx formation and the conditions that must be fulfilled for that to happen.     

Surgical treatment of syringomyelia. Selection of surgical procedures

The surgical approach to syringomyelia is controversial. In this study, the authors evaluated the results of various operative procedures applied in 31 patients with syringomyelia. Syringomyelia was associated with Chiari malformation in 17 cases, with spinal adhesive arachnoiditis in nine, with trauma in three, and with epidural arachnoid cyst in one. One case was idiopathic. A total of 38 operations were performed. Syringosubarachnoid shunting was applied in 17 patients, syringoperitoneal shunting in 11, terminal syringostomy in three, ventriculoperitoneal shunting in three, lumboperitoneal shunting in two, foramen magnum decompression (suboccipital craniectomy plus upper cervical laminectomy) and terminal syringostomy in one, and foramen magnum decompression with syringosubarachnoid shunting in one. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 2 to 55 months (average, 26 months). Of the 31 patients, 23 showed neurological improvement, five were unchanged, and three deteriorated. Among the last three, one patient with Chiari malformation developed shunt malfunction due to arachnoiditis after syringosubarachnoid shunting. In two patients with syringomyelia secondary to adhesive arachnoiditis, the spinal cord was damaged by extensive separation of the arachnoid membrane at surgery. On the basis of the results in these 31 cases, the authors conclude that syringosubarachnoid shunting is effective for syringomyelia associated with Chiari malformation if syringomyelia is responsible for the clinical symptoms. Post-traumatic syringomyelia and syringomyelia secondary to adhesive arachnoiditis should be treated by syringoperitoneal shunting. If hydrocephalus is present, ventriculoperitoneal shunting is indicated. Finally, terminal syringostomy is no more effective than syringosubarachnoid or syringoperitoneal shunting.