Syringomyelia () is a disorder in which a cyst or tubular cavity forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, expands and elongates over time, destroying the center of the spinal cord. Since the spinal cord connects the brain to nerves in the extremities, this damage results in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms, or legs. Other symptoms may include headaches and a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold, especially in the hands. Each patient experiences a different combination of symptoms.

Other, more common disorders share the early symptoms of syringomyelia. In the past, this has made diagnosis difficult. The advent of one outpatient test, however, called magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, has significantly increased the number of syringomyelia cases diagnosed in the beginning stages of the disorder.

About 21,000 American men and women have syringomyelia, with symptoms usually beginning in young adulthood. Signs of the disorder tend to develop slowly, although sudden onset may occur with coughing, straining, or myelopathy. If not treated surgically, syringomyelia often leads to progressive weakness in the arms and legs, loss of hand sensation, and chronic, severe pain.

More on [ Syringomyelia ]

Syringomyelia - Twitter Search

RT @MediThrive: Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
CannaBizLawyer (Hilary Bricken) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:57:07 -0000
RT @MediThrive: Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
RT @MediThrive: Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
cannabisstrains (LivingCannabis) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:50:29 -0000
RT @MediThrive: Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
RT @MediThrive: Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
cannabis_times (The Cannabis Times ) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:21:05 -0000
RT @MediThrive: Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
MediThrive (Medithrive DIRECT) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:04:31 -0000
Did you know that #cannabis has been suggested as an effective #medicinal treatment for Syringomyelia?
Neurological symptoms in syringomyelia - http://t.co/5x3vD86X
DrTipsbits (Dr Timothy) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:48:34 -0000
Neurological symptoms in syringomyelia - http://t.co/5x3vD86X
@NicoleScherzy I am suffering from a rare and serious orphan disease called syringomyelia with degenerative
tazjack1993 (julien) Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:28:24 -0000
@NicoleScherzy I am suffering from a rare and serious orphan disease called syringomyelia with degenerative

Subscribe to Syringomyelia RSS feed