Syringomyelia & Spinal Cord Effects
Syrinx
A syrinx is the fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord that defines syringomyelia and is a key finding in Chiari malformation.
In short: Syrinx
- It is the fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord.
- Its presence defines syringomyelia.
- It is measured by its length and width on MRI.
- Its presence is often an indication for Chiari surgery.
What it is
A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity that forms within the substance of the spinal cord. Its presence defines syringomyelia, and it is a key finding evaluated in people with Chiari malformation.
Understanding Syrinx
A syrinx appears on MRI as a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord, and its size is described by its length (how many spinal levels it spans) and its width or diameter. In Chiari malformation, a syrinx is thought to result from disrupted CSF flow driving fluid into the cord. The size and extent of a syrinx, and whether it is causing symptoms, are important in management — the presence of a syrinx is often considered an indication for surgery, since an untreated, expanding syrinx can progressively damage the cord. After successful decompression, a syrinx often shrinks, which is monitored on follow-up imaging. Understanding the syrinx clarifies the specific structure that defines syringomyelia and is tracked before and after Chiari treatment.
Why it matters
Understanding the syrinx helps families interpret imaging that describes its size, see why its presence often prompts surgery, and know that it is monitored on follow-up imaging after treatment.
Common questions
What is a syrinx?
A fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord.
How is it measured?
By its length and width on MRI.
Why does it matter?
Its presence is often an indication for Chiari surgery.
Bottom line
A syrinx is the fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord that defines syringomyelia, a key finding that often prompts Chiari surgery and is monitored afterward.
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