Primary spinal syringomyelia

In the present review the author describes the different types of syringomyelia that originate from abnormalities at the level of the spinal cord rather than at the craniovertebral junction. These include postraumatic and postinflammatory syrinomyelia, as well as syringomyelia associated with arachnoid cysts and spinal cord tumors. The diagnosis and the principles of managing these lesions are discussed, notably resection of the entity restricting cerebrospinal fluid flow. Placement of a shunt into the syrinx cavity is reserved for patients in whom other procedures have failed or who are not candidates for other procedures.