Posttraumatic Syringomyelia Report of Eight Operative Cases

ABSTRACT

Eight cases of posttraumatic syringomyelia which performed surgery are presented. The injury was limited to the thoracic spine in 3 cases and to the lumbar spine in 3 cases and to the cervical spine in 2 cases. The cavity of the syringomyelia was outlind by positive contrast and CT scan and all cases were confirmed and improved after surgery. It is postulated that posttraumtic syringomyelia results from 2ndary vascular changes which was in from of hyaline degneration of the endothelium, intima thickening, to obliterate the lumen or even to cause thrombosis of the spinal tiny vessel after trauma. The cavity was formed and extended up and down the cord from the site of injury because of pressure gradient in the small cavity by vigorous motion of neck of transdate coming from the cavity. Although syringomyelia is a rare complication of traumatic spinal cord lesions, it is important to pay attention to the condition because it msy be improved by surgical intervention as soon as diagnosis is made.