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Summary
Syringomyelia causes cervical spine canal enlargement, particularly in lower vertebrae. Vertebral body size often diminishes as canals expand, a consistent finding across sexes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Syringomyelia is a condition characterized by the formation of a syrinx, or fluid-filled cyst, within the spinal cord.
- Cervical spine abnormalities are often associated with syringomyelia, but the precise dimensional changes require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relative sizes of cervical spine canals and vertebral bodies in patients with syringomyelia.
- To compare dimensional changes between sexes and investigate the relationship between canal enlargement and vertebral body size.
Main Methods:
- Lateral X-rays of the cervical spine were analyzed in 69 syringomyelia cases and 105 controls.
- Measurements of canal and vertebral body dimensions were taken, including sagittal and oblique views.
Main Results:
- Cervical spine canal enlargement was observed in syringomyelia cases, more pronounced in females (C3-C7) than males (C5-C7).
- Diminution of vertebral body size was more consistent than canal enlargement, with a significant correlation suggesting canal expansion occurs at the expense of the vertebral body.
- Oblique measurements did not prove effective in detecting subtle canal enlargements.
Conclusions:
- Syringomyelia is associated with characteristic dimensional changes in the cervical spine, including canal expansion and vertebral body diminution.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering vertebral body size in the assessment of syringomyelia-related spinal changes.
- Further research into the factors contributing to canal enlargement is warranted.