Cervical syrinx

What it is

A cervical syrinx is a syrinx located in the cervical (neck) region of the spinal cord. It is the most common location for a syrinx in Chiari malformation, reflecting the nearby disrupted CSF flow at the craniocervical junction.

Understanding Cervical syrinx

Because Chiari malformation involves obstruction at the top of the spinal canal, an associated syrinx most often forms in the nearby cervical cord (commonly around the C4 to C6 levels). A cervical syrinx can affect the nerves supplying the arms and hands, producing symptoms such as altered pain and temperature sensation in a "cape-like" distribution over the shoulders and arms, hand weakness, and muscle wasting in the hands. The extent of the syrinx (how many levels it spans) influences the range of symptoms. A cervical syrinx is monitored on imaging and often shrinks after decompression. Understanding the cervical syrinx clarifies the most common syrinx location in Chiari and why its symptoms often involve the upper limbs.

Why it matters

Understanding the cervical syrinx helps families see why Chiari-related syrinx symptoms often affect the arms and hands, since the syrinx most commonly forms in this neck region near the craniocervical obstruction.