[Pathogenesis of syringomyelia in the light of our observations]

The author treated surgically 10 patients with syringomyelia. In 6 cases Arnold--Chiari syndrome was found, in 2 cases platybasia with basilar impression, besides that 2 patients had complete or partial occlusion of Maganide's foramen and in 4 cases a persisting central canal communicated widely with the 4th ventricle. In 3 cases these findings were associated with postinflammatory changes. In only one case the changes in the atlanto-occipital area could not have been defined clearly. The author compares his observation with those reported by others reaching the conclusion that they confirm the hydrodynanic mechanism of syringomyelia. In most cases syringomyelial is a result of congenital or congenital and acquired malformations in the medullo-bulbar area leading to distrubances in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.