neurologic disorders
Syrinx of the Spinal Cord or Brain Stem
Symptoms and Signs of Syrinx
Symptoms of a syrinx usually begin insidiously between adolescence and age 45. develops in the center of the spinal cord, causing a central cord syndrome (see table Spinal Cord Syndromes ). Pain and temperature sensory deficits occur early but may not be recognized for years. The first abnormality recognized may be a painless burn or cut. Syringomyelia typically causes weakness, atrophy, and often fasciculations and hyporeflexia of the hands and arms; a deficit in pain and temperature sensation in a capelike distribution over the shoulders, arms, and back is characteristic. Light touch and position and vibration sensation are not affected. Later, spastic leg weakness develops. Deficits may be asymmetric. Syringobulbiamay cause vertigo, nystagmus, unilateral or bilateral loss of facial sensation, lingual atrophy and weakness, dysarthria, dysphagia, hoarseness, and sometimes peripheral sensory or motor deficits due to medullary compression. 