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Pathogenesis and treatment of delayed post-traumatic syringomyelia

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Summary

The role of trauma in the pathogenesis of syringomyelia has been known for a long time. Repeated microtraumata have been considered to play a role in triggering the classical syringomyelia on the basis of a congenital predisposition. It has been proven that posttraumatic arachnoiditis can cause cavitation in the spinal cord and probably syringomyelia stricto sensu as well. The delayed appearance of syringomyelia after a severe single spinal trauma resulting in contusion of the spinal cord without the complication of arachnoiditis is a more recent issue, but is now well-known. Delayed syringomyelia after a minor single spinal trauma, with at first complete recovery, is extremely rare, and is probably often disregarded as a diagnosis. Having studied such a case, with complete neuroradiological work-up, we want to draw attention to the pathogenetic aspects and the possibilities for treatment, of which the syringoperitoneal shunt seems to be the most efficient one.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    R. Van den Bergh

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  1. R. Van den Bergh
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Van den Bergh, R. Pathogenesis and treatment of delayed post-traumatic syringomyelia. Acta neurochir 110, 82–86 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402052

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402052

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