Syringomyelia is a serious problem with our nervous system. It causes a fluid-filled cyst to grow in the spinal cord. This cyst can hurt the spinal cord itself and the nerves that send messages to our body from our brain. The cyst forms when the fluid that protects our brain and spinal cord builds up in the spinal cord.
Its signs can change based on where and how big the cyst is. Some effects may include pain, getting weaker over time, stiffness, headaches, feeling less sensation, being off balance, and issues controlling your bowels, bladder, and sexual function. The main reason for this is Chiari malformation, where part of the brain squeezes into the spinal area. Other reasons might be spinal cord injuries, growths, inflammation, or problems from birth.
To find out if someone has it, doctors often use an MRI scan. Treatment depends on how bad the symptoms are. If there are no symptoms, they may just watch it. But if it’s causing problems, surgery can be the choice. The goal of surgery is to take out the cyst and fix how fluid flows around the spinal cord.
In the last few years, there’s been interest in using stem cells to treat syringomyelia. Research around the world is testing how stem cells from a baby’s umbilical cord could help fix the spinal cord and lower swelling.
Key Takeaways:
- Syringomyelia is a neurological disorder characterized by the development of a fluid-filled cyst within the spinal cord.
- Common symptoms of syringomyelia include pain, progressive weakness, stiffness, headaches, loss of sensation, imbalance, bowel and bladder control problems, and sexual dysfunction.
- The most common cause of syringomyelia is Chiari malformation, but it can also be caused by spinal cord injuries, tumors, inflammation, and congenital abnormalities.
- Diagnosis of syringomyelia is usually done through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which provides detailed images of the spinal cord and syrinx.
- Treatment options for syringomyelia include monitoring, surgery to remove the syrinx and restore normal fluid flow, and the promising potential of stem cell therapy derived from umbilical cord tissue.
Causes and Risk Factors for Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a condition of the nervous system. It is mostly caused by something called Chiari malformation. This is when brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Because of this blockage, a fluid-filled cyst called a syrinx forms in the spinal cord.
Besides Chiari malformation, syringomyelia can be caused by:
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spine can disrupt fluid flow, causing a syrinx.
- Spinal cord tumors: Tumors in or around the spinal cord can block fluid circulation, leading to syringomyelia.
- Inflammation around the spinal cord: Diseases like meningitis can trigger the formation of a syrinx by inflaming the spinal cord membranes.
- Congenital abnormalities: Some people are born with spinal cord or brainstem issues that make syringomyelia more likely.
Sometimes the reason for syringomyelia is unknown (idiopathic). But, ongoing research is helping to uncover the condition’s causes and risk factors.
Types of Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia comes in two forms: congenital and acquired.
Congenital syringomyelia usually comes with Chiari malformation. It affects the neck area of the spine and is either present at birth or shows up soon after.
Acquired syringomyelia can develop later in life due to conditions like spinal injuries or meningitis. Unlike the congenital form, it arises from specific events or diseases.
| Causes | Types of Syringomyelia |
|---|---|
| Chiari malformation | Congenital syringomyelia |
| Spinal cord injuries | Acquired syringomyelia |
| Spinal cord tumors | |
| Inflammation around the spinal cord | |
| Congenital abnormalities |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Syringomyelia
To diagnose syringomyelia, doctors look at a patient’s medical history and do a physical exam. They also use imaging tests. The best test is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It takes detailed pictures of the spinal cord. This lets doctors see if there’s a syrinx, which is a fluid-filled cyst in this condition. Sometimes, a special dye is used with the MRI to make the pictures clearer.
The treatment for syringomyelia changes based on how severe the symptoms are and the syrinx’s size. If someone doesn’t feel sick or the issue isn’t getting worse, the doctor might just check on it regularly. But if the symptoms are bad or getting worse, they will need treatment. The main goal of treatment is to take off the pressure the syrinx puts on the spinal cord and get the fluid moving normally again.
Treatment Options
The treatments include:
- Surgery: Surgery is needed for those with strong symptoms or if the condition is getting worse. How the surgery is done depends on what’s causing the problem. For example, if a Chiari malformation is to blame, doctors may focus on that area to lower spinal cord pressure. For syrinx issues, they may do surgeries like adding a shunt to drain the syrinx or removing blockages. Fixing spine problems may also be needed to ease pressure on the spinal cord.
- Monitoring: In cases where there are no symptoms or they’re not worsening, doctors might just watch them over time. They will have regular check-ups and tests to make sure everything is okay and treatment is working, if needed.
After surgery or starting monitoring, it’s important to keep up with visits to the doctor. Syringomyelia can come back, even after successful surgery. So, follow-up care and regular checks are key. They help the doctor see how you’re doing and make sure the treatment is still working.
Doctors aim to treat syringomyelia in ways that reduce symptoms, make life better, and protect the brain and spine. Advances in technology and surgery keep making the treatment and management of syringomyelia better. This means fewer symptoms and a better life for those with the condition.
Stem Cell Therapy for Syringomyelia – Potential and Current Research
Stem cell therapy has a lot of promise to help with syringomyelia, a tough nerve disorder. Scientists are looking at using stem cells from umbilical cords. These cells can help fix tissues, lessen swelling, and adjust the immune system in the spine. This gives hope to people with syringomyelia.
In studies with animals, using these stem cells has shown good results. The size of the syrinx can decrease, improving how the nerves work. These findings show that stem cell therapy could be a real help. Now, more tests in people hope to confirm how safe and useful this treatment is for syringomyelia.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). They fund research on syringomyelia and related issues. This work looks into genetic causes, birth defects, how to diagnose, and how to treat it. The findings could help make stem cell treatments better, giving patients a brighter future.
FAQ
Q: What is syringomyelia?
A: Syringomyelia is a disorder affecting the spinal cord. It’s when a fluid-filled cyst forms inside it.
Q: What are the symptoms of syringomyelia?
A: Signs can be different for each person. Common ones are pain, weakness, and stiffness. You might also notice headaches, not feeling things as you should, or losing balance. Changes in bowel and bladder habits and sexual issues can happen, too.
Q: What causes syringomyelia?
A: The leading cause is Chiari malformation. Other causes include spinal cord injuries, tumors, and certain birth defects. Infections that lead to swelling can also trigger it.
Q: How is syringomyelia diagnosed?
A: Doctors use a test called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make a diagnosis. This test shows clear pictures of the spinal cord and any cysts.
Q: What are the treatment options for syringomyelia?
A: How it’s treated depends on the symptoms and their progress. Watching without treatment can be an option for some. But, for others, doctors might suggest surgery. Now, they’re also looking at how stem cell therapy could help.
Q: What is the role of stem cell therapy in syringomyelia treatment?
A: Mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue are being studied. They might help repair tissues and cut down on swelling in the spinal cord. Trials and research aim to confirm if this could be a more effective treatment someday.