Symptoms of Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia, also known as syringomyelia disease, is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder characterized primarily by the formation of fluid-filled cavities within the spinal cord. These cavities can gradually expand, compressing and damaging the surrounding neural tissue.

Common symptoms of syringomyelia include:

1. Sensory abnormalities: Patients may experience reduced sensation in the hands or upper limbs, such as numbness, tingling, or loss of temperature perception. This occurs because the nerve fibers responsible for transmitting sensory information within the spinal cord are damaged.

2. Muscle weakness: Particularly in the arms and hands, muscles may become weak, affecting daily activities, such as weakened grip strength and difficulty performing fine motor tasks.

3. Autonomic dysfunction: This may manifest as abnormal sweating, blood pressure fluctuations, urinary incontinence, or constipation, due to disturbances in the autonomic nervous system.

4. Pain: Some patients may experience persistent pain, especially in the upper back, shoulders, or arms.

5. Gait instability: As the condition progresses, muscle weakness and loss of coordination in the lower limbs may lead to gait instability.

6. Motor dysfunction: Syringomyelia can impair motor function, leading to muscle weakness, atrophy, and decreased muscle tone. Patients may develop atrophy of the small muscles of the hands and forearm, resulting in claw hand deformity. In severe cases, muscles of the upper limbs, shoulder girdle, and intercostal muscles may be affected, potentially leading to paralysis.

7. Skin nutritional disorders: In severe cases, the skin may exhibit cyanosis, excessive keratosis, thickening, and may develop persistent ulcers following injury.