Syringomyelia is a condition in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, expands and lengthens over time, destroying the center of the spinal cord.
How Common Is Syringomyelia?
Because syringomyelia can occur in association with other conditions, estimates of the number of Americans with syringomyelia vary widely, but a conservative estimate is that about 40,000 people in the United States are affected, with
syringomyelia symptoms usually beginning in young adulthood.
Syringomyelia and Other Medical Conditions
In most cases, syringomyelia is related to a congenital abnormality of the brain called a Chiari type I malformation. This malformation occurs during the development of the fetus and causes the lower part of the cerebellum to protrude from its normal location in the back of the head into the cervical, or neck, portion of the spinal canal. This form of syringomyelia is called communicating syringomyelia.
Syringomyelia can also occur as a complication of:
When syringomyelia occurs as a result of one of these conditions, it is called non-communicating syringomyelia.
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