Syringosubarachnoid shunt for treatment of syringomyelia

The experiences with a series of 9 patients with syringomyelia treated by syringosubarachnoid shunt (SSS) are presented. All of the cases were evaluated by myelography, CT scan or MNR. The cases showed satisfactory results which consisted in stabilization of the symptoms (55%) or clinical improvement (44%). These results should be continuously evaluated, due to the short follow-up period and to the variable natural history of the illness. Treatment by SSS is a technique of low morbidity. It is recommended for patients with syringomyelia without significant descent of the tonsils or in those cases where posterior fossa operations have failed to obtain good results.