Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
07:43
Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas
Published on: January 17, 2018
18.9K
Syringopleural shunt for refractory syringomyelia: how I do it
Paolo Perrini1,2, Nicola Benedetto3, Alberto Vercelli3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana (AOUP), Pisa, Italy. paolo.perrini@unipi.it.
Acta Neurochirurgica
|June 19, 2023
Summary
Syringopleural shunt (SPS) offers a safe and effective treatment for persistent syringomyelia. This surgical option is considered when other management strategies for the underlying cause do not provide significant improvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Surgical treatment for syringomyelia aims to restore cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and reconstruct the subarachnoid space.
- Direct intervention on the syrinx is reserved as a rescue procedure for refractory cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of the indications and surgical technique for syringopleural shunt (SPS).
- To evaluate the efficacy of SPS in managing persistent syringomyelia.
Main Methods:
- The syringopleural shunt (SPS) procedure connects the syrinx with the pleural space via a lumboperitoneal shunt.
- Negative pressure within the pleural compartment creates a gradient for syrinx fluid drainage.
Main Results:
- SPS facilitates the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the syrinx.
- The procedure establishes an appropriate pressure gradient for effective fluid diversion.
Conclusions:
- Syringopleural shunt (SPS) provides a safe and effective treatment for persistent syringomyelia.
- SPS is a valuable option when underlying causes of syringomyelia are refractory to management.
