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Acute brainstem symptoms associated with cervical syringomyelia.
S H Meves1, T Postert, H Przuntek
1Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr University of Bochum, Germany. Saskia.M.Meves@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
European Neurology
|December 22, 1999
Summary
Syringomyelia can present acutely with brainstem symptoms after sudden pressure increases, mimicking other conditions. These rare, atypical symptoms in syringomyelia patients resolved spontaneously.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Syringomyelia typically causes slow, progressive neurological deficits.
- Acute and atypical presentations of syringomyelia are uncommon.
- Brainstem symptoms are rarely associated with syringomyelia.
Observation:
- Three patients presented with acute, atypical brainstem symptoms.
- Symptoms emerged following sudden increases in intrathoracic or intra-abdominal pressure.
- Initial diagnosis considered vertebrobasilar ischemia.
Findings:
- The patients' acute neurological symptoms were attributed to syringomyelia.
- Symptoms resolved spontaneously in all reported cases.
- The underlying mechanism involves acute pressure changes affecting the brainstem.
Implications:
- This case series expands the understanding of syringomyelia's clinical spectrum.
- Highlights the importance of considering syringomyelia in acute brainstem presentations, especially after pressure events.
- Suggests a potential, transient mechanism linking pressure fluctuations to neurological deficits in syringomyelia.