Syringomyelia: Year of the Zebra

The smooth flow of a river along its path allows everything around it to act as intended; whole ecosystems can flourish on its banks along either side. If, for instance, a massive rockslide were to block the flow of water, it would pool behind the obstacle and cause damage to any structure that happens to be in its expanding path. This is similar to what happens when syringomyelia, today’s zebra, is caused by the brain abnormality called the Chiari malformation. The cerebrospinal fluid flows in the spinal canal and all around the central nervous system. Syringomyelia is a rare condition characterized by a fluid-filled cavity or cyst known as a syrinx that forms within the spinal cord. This syrinx can expand over time compressing or destroying the surrounding nerve tissue, leading to symptoms such as pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the affected areas especially the upper limbs and torso. Muscle weakness and wasting may progressively occur, leading to paralysis in severe cases. Particularly in children, who are in a growth phase, skeletal abnormalities such as scoliosis may arise. The symptoms are usually most prominent between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Diagnosis is usually clear on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To learn more about the mechanisms and treatment of syringomyelia, watch the dedicated Osmosis video on YouTube and Osmosis.org