Intraoperative spinal sonography: A case study of syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is a chronic disorder of the spinal cord in which a cystic cavity forms and extends laterally to or independent of the central canal. It is most commonly caused by extramedullary lesions at the foramen magnum, generally a Chiari malformation. Syringomyelia causes destruction of the spinal cord and the nerves that supply the extremities. This damage can cause numerous neurological symptoms such as back pain, headaches, motor impairments, and later spastic paralysis in the extremities. Surgical treatment of syringomyelia is indicated in symptomatic patients and in those with large cystic cavities regardless of symptoms. Intraoperative sonography can be effectively used to identify syringomyelia and for optimal shunt placement in the treatment and collapse of the cystic cavity.