syringomyelia

syringomyelia
syringomyelic /seuh ring'goh muy el"ik/, adj.
/seuh ring'goh muy ee"lee euh/, n. Pathol.
a disease of the spinal cord in which the nerve tissue is replaced by a cavity filled with fluid.
[1875-80; syringo- (comb. form of Gk syrinx SYRINX) + myelia (MYEL- + -IA)]

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Disease characterized by the entrance of cerebrospinal fluid into the spinal cord, where it forms a cavity (syrinx).

The syrinx can expand and elongate over time, destroying the centre of the spinal cord and causing symptoms that vary with the syrinx's size and location. It is often related to the presence of a congenital malformation of the cerebellum, called a Chiari malformation, but it may also arise as a complication of spinal trauma, meningitis, tumour, or other conditions. Symptoms include loss of sensitivity, especially to temperature, muscle weakness and spasticity, and headaches and chronic pain. Syringomyelia may be diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging. Surgery to correct the condition that caused the syrinx to form may stabilize or improve a patient's health.

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      chronic, progressive disease characterized principally by the development of a cyst, called a syrinx, near the spinal cord or brain stem. Symptoms include gradual dissociated sensory loss, muscle wasting, and spasticity. The cause of the disease is unknown but is thought to be a developmental defect. Symptoms ordinarily appear between 10 and 30 years of age; males are affected more often than females.

      The onset of syringomyelia is slow. Initial symptoms may include weakness of the hand muscles, a lateral curvature of the spine ( scoliosis), or injuries, such as burns, with lack of pain. The loss of pain and temperature sensation has a shawl-like distribution over the arms and shoulders. Syringobulbia, the formation of a cyst on the brainstem, may develop in association with syringomyelia. Symptoms include atrophy of the tongue, difficulty in swallowing ( dysphagia), loss of pain and temperature sensation in the face, and a variety of other neurological disorders.

      There is no cure for syringomyelia; treatment may include surgical drainage of the cyst. Patients may live as long as 40 years after the onset of the disease.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Syringomyelia — Classification and external resources An idiopathic syrinx. See the thin light grey shape inside the spinal cord, placed at centre in the bottom half of the above image. ICD 10 G …   Wikipedia

  • syringomyelia — [sə riŋ΄gō mī ē′lē ə] n. [ModL < Gr syrinx (see SYRINGE) + myelos, marrow] a chronic, progressive disease of the spinal cord, characterized by the formation of cavities filled with liquid within the spinal cord …   English World dictionary

  • syringomyelia — The presence in the spinal cord of longitudinal cavities lined by dense, gliogenous tissue, which are not caused by vascular insufficiency. S. is marked clinically by pain and paresthesia, followed by muscular atrophy of the hands and analgesia… …   Medical dictionary

  • syringomyelia — n. a disease of the spinal cord in which longitudinal cavities form within the cord, usually in the cervical (neck) region. The centrally situated cavity (syrinx) is especially likely to damage the motor nerve cells and the nerve fibres that… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • syringomyelia — noun Etymology: New Latin, from Greek syring , syrinx tube, fistula + New Latin myel + ia Date: 1880 a chronic progressive disease of the spinal cord associated with sensory disturbances, muscle atrophy, and spasticity • syringomyelic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Syringomyelia — Syringomyélie La syringomyélie est une maladie de la moelle épinière liée au développement d une cavité en son centre qui tend à comprimer et à détruire progressivement la substance grise puis la substance blanche. Sommaire 1 Physiopathologie 2… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • syringomyelia — noun A disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms within the spinal cord, possibly leading to stiffness or paralysis. See Also: syrinx …   Wiktionary

  • syringomyelia — n. (Medicine) chronic progressive disease characterized by the formation of fluid filled cavities in the spinal cord (causes motor and sensory disturbances, and paralysis) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • syringomyelia — sy·rin·go·my·e·lia …   English syllables

  • syringomyelia — sy•rin•go•my•e•li•a [[t]səˌrɪŋ goʊ maɪˈi li ə[/t]] n. pat a disease of the spinal cord in which the nerve tissue is replaced by a fluid filled cavity • Etymology: 1875–80; syringo (comb. form of Gk sŷrinx syrinx) +myelia (see myelo , ia) sy•rin… …   From formal English to slang

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