Syringomyelia

Treatment of syringomyelia

Syringomyelia associated with a Chiari malformation is best treated by surgery. The procedure used is called foramen magnum decompression. This operation involves expanding the space around the spinal cord at the junction between the head and the neck to improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. In practice, a 10-cm skin incision is made on the back of the head, and a small amount of the occipital bone is cut away. The vertebral arch of the first cervical vertebra is removed, and an incision is made in the hard membrane called the dura mater that covers the brain to create sufficient space for the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. In most cases, this procedure causes the cavity to shrink, improving the symptoms. However, once the symptoms have progressed beyond a certain level, even surgery is often not effective. An early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important. In children, however, it is not uncommon for the symptoms to resolve by themselves, and careful investigation is required before surgery is performed.

Doctor's Info Han Soo Chang

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