Syringomyelia is a disease of the nervous system that has a chronic, slowly progressing current and affects the spinal cord, forming cavities in it. Sometimes this disease is subjected to the medulla oblongata. A distinctive feature is that diseases are more affected by young people, less often in the middle age group. Syringomyelia literally translates as the emptiness of the spinal cord. Many scientists have tried to study this pathology, it took a lot of time and effort, and only in the 19th century Olivier Ange was able to prove that this is a separate disease that requires careful attention and due regard, especially as it affects young people of working age.


Prevalence and pathogenesis of

The disease is extremely rare, many general practitioners often do not even know about its existence. There are 1 person out of 10000. And, more often it is men up to 35 years old. Other characteristics, such as race or place of residence, are not observed, although this may be due to small spread and insufficient knowledge.

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Often the disease affects the cervical spine, but sometimes the medulla oblongata is involved. Liquor, which normally circulates through the spinal canal, encountering obstacles on its way, is forced to bend them, as a result of which currents of its current form, which subsequently form permanent cavities. Of course, as is customary in the body, new formations have not only a different form than normal, but also pathological cells that are not characteristic of the site. Due to the fact that the main function of nerve cells is the transfer of the impulse, and at this point it is disturbed due to the presence of other cells, there is a disruption of the conductivity and, consequently, the dysfunction of the organism, in the form of motor and sensory disorders.

Causes of

Although syringomyelia has been studied for a long time, the process of cognition continues to this day. But it is precisely known that there are two forms, one of which is congenital and affects the spinal cord even at the level of the embryo, and the second has acquired character. But birth trauma can not be ruled out, which can become a prerequisite for development. Most often all the same for today the disease meets not individually, but in a consequence of the previous one, as an aggravating factor. For example, with tumors of the spinal cord.

Symptoms of

The peculiarity of this disease is that most people live and do not even know about its presence for a long time. Surprise is obtained either accidentally with a general diagnosis, or in case of an increase in symptoms. The main symptom is pain or moderate persistent sensations of soreness. We must understand that it will not be strictly localized, because the nerve endings that come out of the spinal canal go to the innervation of the trunk. From which it follows that the defeat of the cervical region can lead to pain in the movements of the hands, pain in the chest, according to characteristics similar to intercostal neuralgia, etc. There may also be fatigue and a feeling of stiffness in the neck, especially when you are in a long position in one position or with hard work. Next, what follows after pain, this is a violation of sensitivity. The first signs are the feeling of goosebumps, for example, when for no apparent reason they appear on the skin of the chest, scapula, neck, or anywhere in the upper shoulder girdle, including the upper limbs. Manifestations in the form of goose bumps and light prickings can last long enough, up to several years, which does not cause much discomfort and does not pay due attention from the person. But then more pronounced manifestations begin, for example, a feeling of twisting of the hands. This symptom is very similar to the clinical picture of cervical osteochondrosis. At first people understand this feeling as signs of a sharp change in weather conditions, but doubts creep in when it lasts for a long time. The final manifestation of sensitivity disorders becomes local numbness, as a rule, it begins with the fingertips, but certain areas of the neck skin can also lose their sensitivity locally. With pain, that sensitivity disorder manifests itself especially during periods of intense and dynamic loads, and at moments of rest and relaxation can retreat, even completely stop.

Diagnosis of syringomyelia

When examining a patient with this symptomatology, the first thing the doctor pays attention to is complaints. One has to understand the more clearly and painfully the clinical picture will be reported, namely all the patient's sensations, the more accurate and correct will be the tactics of the attending physician. Every self-respecting expert starts reception with a tour, of course, within the framework of modern health care, the time for such procedures is given very little, so the doctors more than write and fill the documentation, rather than take the time to the patient. But if the doctor prescribed some medication and sent the typical wait for improvement, but it did not come, then it makes sense to apply is not a therapist or a general practitioner and a narrowly focused specialist, in this case, a neurologist. But in the state polyclinic and here something similar can happen. It is not necessary to retreat and to think that medicine is powerless, the expectation that everything will not only finish, but also take away much time of treatment, and most importantly, that more and aggravate it with his progressive severity and prevalence of the process.

During inspection, the motor and sensory function is checked. Based on the results of the tests, one or more diagnoses are displayed, which now must either be confirmed or disproved. For this purpose, the next step is called, instrumental and laboratory methods of diagnosis. With regard specifically to syringomyelia, the most indicative method is magnetic resonance imaging, because there is no more such equipment that can see the state of the spinal cord through bone and other body tissues. The study is completely safe and can be conducted in a private center of your own choice.

Treatment

treating such diseases as syringomyelia engaged several experts: neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, traumatology and even a radiologist. After a complete examination and clarification of all aspects of the disease, a person undergoes surgical treatment. As a result, it is possible to halt the development and prevent the development of greater symptoms. The operation is quite serious and depends on its success whether the functions of the nervous system will be preserved. Therefore, it is necessary to approach it with special responsibility and follow all the recommendations. Type of treatment, definitely, stationary. The rehabilitation period is also very important, so after it, it would be good to plan aftercare not in the walls of the house, but in specialized sanatoriums or rehabilitation centers. Conservative therapy is ineffective and is only aimed at reducing symptoms, for example, during the examination before the operation.

In fact, this disease is incurable and carries a persistent loss of ability to work. It should be understood that this relates directly to the primary diagnosis, with regard to syringomyelia as a result of other pathologies, such as cancers, then the person can find out about their presence only through surveys on the underlying disease. Moreover, the frequency of secondary damage is much more frequent than the disease, which, as we said, is only 1: 10,000 and can be observed in 20% of people with other diseases of the spine. Modern medicine has some developments, which, under the condition of early diagnosis, can prolong the work capacity and even achieve a temporary, but stable remission.