[Scoliosis as a concomitant disease of syringomyelia]

Three long-time and two ore three respectively shorter observations of scoliotics with syringomyelia are presented and the pertinent literature is discussed including the complex etiopathogenesis. An attempt is made to describe the concomitant scoliosis. The older the patients with syringomyelia so more frequently scolioses appear, up to about two thirds of all cases, resembling a deformity due to paralysis: Dorsal kyphoscoliosis with lumbar countercurve and lordosis, tendency towards a list of the trunk, eventually rapid progression not only in the growing age but also in adulthood. The scoliosis may preceed the neurologic symptoms for years as well as follow later. Spontaneous fusion of the curves may occur by broad based flat bony appositions to the vertebrae with round prominences as well, aetiologically probably due to syringomyelia: "dystrophic". Since the spinal cord of these cases is more ore less pre-damaged and does react very sensible to progression of the scoliosis, in this phase mainly laminectomy for decompression is indicated whereas treatment otherwise is administered with the help of a Milwaukee brace. If one decides exceptionally to perform a fusion operation the application of any essentional distraction force and contusion is to be avoided.