Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord.
When to get help quickly: Prompt review is important if weakness is worsening, walking is affected, bladder symptoms appear, or the person is losing function in the arms or legs.
Common symptoms
Symptoms may include neck, shoulder, or arm pain, numbness, weakness, stiffness, imbalance, and sometimes loss of pain or temperature sensation.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show the size and level of the syrinx and whether there is an associated cause such as Chiari malformation, injury, or another spinal problem.
What radiology does
MRI is the key test because it shows the size, level, and any associated causes such as Chiari malformation or prior injury.
What usually happens next
Management may include neurological follow-up, treatment of the underlying cause, or neurosurgery when symptoms progress.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.