[The diagnosis of syringomyelia (author's transl]

Seven cases are reported in which syringomyelia was confirmed by neuroradiological studies and surgical procedures. Dissociated sensory loss was noted in four patients in this series. Peripheral paresis and muscular atrophy in arms and hands were found in all seven patients. In only two of the patients the wide spinal canal were found in the lateral view of plain cervical spine films. Assimilation of the atlas to the occipital bone was seen in two patients. Arnold-Chiari malformation was found by myelography and posterior fossa craniectomy in four patients. Metrizamide CT cisternography was found to be useful to demonstrate Arnold-Chiari malformation. Gas myelography was performed on six patients. A collapsing cord was demonstrated in four patients. In other two patients the study was not successful because of technical problem and the association of communicating hydrocephalus. Computed tomography, haad scanner, was done on six patients. Plain CT was not useful diagnostic study for the diagnosis of Arnold-Chiari malformation or syringomyelia. This study and other reports suggest that the most reliable radiological diagnostic method of syringomyelia is gas myelography and demonstration of the collapsing cord. CT of the spinal cord requires further improvement, however, CT with high resolution and metrizamide will improve diagnostic accuracy.