Syringomyelia Treatment in Central NJ

Syringomyelia (Syrinx) Treatment

Dr.John D. Lipani offers image guided brain surgery, complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery, as well as non-invasive radiosurgery. Dr. Lipani is a fellowship-trained expert providing surgical treatment for syringomyelia.

Syringomyelia is the development of a fluid-filled cyst (syrinx) within the spinal cord. Over time, the cyst may enlarge, damaging the spinal cord and causing pain, weakness and stiffness. The majority of syringomyelia cases are associated with Chiari Malformation, a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into the spinal canal. Other syringomyelia causes include spinal cord tumors, spinal cord injuries and damage caused by inflammation around the spinal cord.

Syringomyelia symptoms usually develop slowly over time. Muscle weakness, pain, numbness, abnormal reflexes and loss of sensitivity to pain and temperature are early indications of syringomyelia.

Other syringomyelia symptoms include:

• Stiffness in your back, shoulders, arms and legs
• Pain in your neck, arms and back
• Bowel and bladder function problems
• Muscle weakness and spasms in your legs
• Facial pain or numbness
• Spinal curvature

Syringomyelia treatment depends on the severity and progression of your signs and symptoms. If syringomyelia is not causing signs or symptoms, monitoring with periodic MRI and neurological exams may be the only treatment necessary. In rare cases a syrinx may resolve on its own.

When syringomyelia causes significant symptoms, surgery may be recommended to prevent permanent neurologic damage. The goal of syringomyelia surgery is to remove the pressure the syrinx places on the spinal cord and to restore the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

Syringomyelia surgery types include:

• Chiari malformation surgery: involves enlarging the opening at the base of the skull and expanding the covering of the brain. This reduces pressure on the brain and spinal cord, allowing for normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Syrinx draining: involves surgically inserting a drainage system called a shunt. This consists of a flexible tube with a valve that keeps fluid from the syrinx flowing in the desired direction.
• Obstruction removal: involves removing any tumor or bony growth that may be hindering the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid

After syringomyelia surgery, it is very important for patients to have regular examinations with their doctors and periodic MRIs to ensure that syringomyelia does not recur.

For more information about syringomyelia symptoms and treatment, contact the office of Dr. John D. Lipani at (609)-890-3400 today!