Post-traumatic syringomyelia

Progressive post-traumatic cystic syringomyelia is an uncommon and increasingly recognized cause of morbidity following spinal cord injury. We hereby report a 35-year-old gentleman who sustained wedge compression fracture of L-1 vertebral body 15 years back and had complete paraplegia with bowel/bladder involvement. The neurological deficit recovered with minimal residual motor deficits and erectile dysfunction. He presented now with increasing neurological deficits associated with pain and paresthesia. The MRI spine showed a syrinx extending from the site of injury up to the medulla. He underwent a syringo-peritoneal shunt and at followup his pain and motor functions had improved but erectile dysfunction was persisting.