Syringomyelia
A fluid
collection that forms the spinal cord ... Too hard to imagine when you're not a
doctor! But do not panic, here's everything you need to know about this
maladiie; details with simple and easily understood explanations.
Syringomyelia is
a disease that affects the spinal cord in the cervical portion (in the neck).
It is characterized by the formation, at this level, a fluid collection
gradually moving to compress and then destroy the sensory and motor nerve
fibers.
Syringomyelia
affects mainly young people 25 to 40 years. The onset of the disease usually
remains silent. The disease is often associated with a rare defect called
Arnold-Chiari malformation. However, there is a form of syringomyelia secondary
to trauma or infections. Some forms show no obvious cause.
Signs presented
by the patient with syringomyelia are associated with sensory and motor nerve
abnormalities resulting localized destruction in the neck. However, the signs
vary depending on the extent of the cavity, the patient's age, stage of
development and the factors involved in the disease. Often, the evidence is:
- Loss of
sensitivity to hot (eg burns), sensitivity to cold, and the patient becomes
insensitive to temperature
- Disorders of
speech, swallowing, paralysis of the tongue
Paresthesia
mainly felt in the face and upper limbs: stinging, tingling, cramping,
numbness. The facial sensory impairment is sometimes accompanied by nystagmus
- Muscle fonts
progressing to muscle atrophy, arms and hands are most often affected first.
- The trophic
skin disorders that can lead to the formation of paronychia, sore piercing
(often located in the hands or elbows), or bedsores
- The abolition
of certain reflexes in the upper limbs
- At a more
advanced stage, it may appear a paralysis of the lower limbs with accentuation
of certain reflexes, gait disturbance.
- Tremors or
fasciculations experienced by the patient corresponding to non-rhythmic muscle
contractions. These signs are also due to nerve destruction.
The diagnosis of
syringomyelia is mainly confirmed by the detection of fluid cavity magnetic
resonance imaging.
Syringomyelia is
a disease that progresses very slowly, over several years. The neurosurgical
treatment improves the signs by decompression of the nerve roots, but does not
cure the disease.
Psychotropic
drugs may also be used in less severe forms. These are mostly anxiolytics,
sedatives or neuroleptics.
SHARE THIS POST
