Syringomyelia

**Syringomyelia** is a disease of the central nervous system in which cavities (sirenum) form in the spinal cord. Syringomyelic cavities can occur at any level from the thoracic to sacral spine, but are most common at the lumbosacral level. The sirenum is a horizontal canal located in the center of the spinal cord and filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The presence of sirenum is a sign of syringomelia, but it is necessary to distinguish this condition from other diseases accompanied by the formation of cavities in the spinal cord.

The first symptom of syringomylia is painless numbness in the area of ​​the body corresponding to damage to the spinal cord due to segmental sensory disorder, or pseudotania. The second common symptom is painful muscle contractions (tics) in the same segment of the spinal cord where the sirenum is located. Tics spread throughout the lower back and can radiate to the leg. Sometimes spasms of large muscles such as the legs, buttocks, back, and diaphragm are observed. Peripheral paresis also occurs, reminiscent of the clinical manifestations of pinched roots and neuromuscular disorders. A characteristic symptom of syringomylia is a blockage in the center of the process of conduction of excitation along the spinal fibers, the presence of visceral manifestations. There may be cough, dysphagia, constipation and decreased sense of smell. In approximately half of patients, cerebrospinal fluid effusion occurs in the area of ​​the intervertebral discs. These symptoms of syringomia are observed until the development of paralysis of the legs with damage to the same segments of the spinal cord and brain or loss of sensitivity there.

The main cause of the disease is a metabolic disorder in the spinal cord and brain, which for unknown reasons leads to the appearance of sirens. Only one fifth of syringomylia cases are associated with metabolic disorders