• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Syringomyelia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

Syringomyelia is damage to the spinal cord due to the formation of a fluid-filled area within the cord.

Alternative Names:

Syrinx

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The fluid build-up seen in syringomyelia may be a result of spinal cord trauma , tumors of the spinal cord, or birth defects.

The fluid-filled area (cavity) most often begins in the neck area. It expands slowly, putting pressure on the spinal cord and slowly causing damage.

Syringomyelia may occur in certain developmental problems of the nervous system, including Chiari malformations.

• Review Date: 9/25/2006
• Reviewed By: Kenneth Gross, M.D., Neurology, North Miami, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.