What is syringomyelia?
Syringomyelia is a longitudinal cystic cavity that develops within the substance of the cord.
It may extend over a few or many segments of the cord and even into the medulla (syringobulbia).
The cavity is irregular and tends to intrude into the anterior horns of the gray matter and the gray matter dorsal to the central canal.
This condition may result from a developmental anomaly, trauma (hyperextension injuries of the neck), or ischemia, or it may be part of an intramedullary tumor.
