History of post-traumatic syringomyelia: post traumatic syringomyelia prior to 1920

Review of five cases of post-traumatic syringomyelia originally described between 1898-1920.

To describe the earliest presentation of post-traumatic syringomyelia and to compare to modern day views of this condition.

Historical review.

Pathogenesis and interpretation of the findings are discussed in the light of current knowledge.

Credit for the first description of post-traumatic syringomyelia (in 1898) should go to W Wagner and P Stolper.