What is dangerous for human syringomyelia of the cervical and thoracic spine

Practice is In neurological disease such as syringomyelia of the cervical and thoracic spine. Itself syringomyelia does not affect the duration of human life. Dangerous possible complications: sepsis, depression of the respiratory center, the defeat of the vagus nerve. What is the etiology, symptoms and treatment of this disease?

Peculiarities of the development of syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is called chronic, slowly progressive disease of the Central nervous system, characterized by the formation of small cavities in the spinal cord. TOOOhis disease included in the list of diseases ICD-10 code syringomyelia G 95. When syringomyelia affects mainly the spinal cord. In some cases the lesion of the medulla oblongata. The spinal cord is located in vertebral canal. The most commonly diagnosed cases of syringomyelia of the cervical and thoracic spine. The share of this pathology accounts for up to 7% of all cases of diseases of the nervous system.

Distinguish between congenital (true) and acquired form of the disease. In the first case, the disease develops on the background of active reproduction of glial cells. The latter are support cells that perform a trophic function. They do not participate in the conduction of nerve impulses. The cavity in the gray matter of the spinal cord are formed in the process of mass death of glial cells. The cavity gradually increase in size. It can be squeezed nerve fibres. Suffer from both motor and sensitive neurons. Very often congenital syringomyelia of the spinal cord associated with lesions of the spine.

Manifestation of the disease most often occurs between the ages of 25 to 40 years. Men suffer from this disease more often than women. More than half of patients develop secondary (acquired) syringomyelia. It is due to the affected area that connects the spine with the skull. Secondary causes of syringomyelia include trauma to the spine and spinal cord, infarction of the spinal cord, hemorrhage, herniated discs of the cervical or thoracic vertebrae, inflammation of the arachnoid mater, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord tumor thoracic or cervical spine, tuberculosis.

the Main clinical manifestations

In the ICD-10 dedicated only types of syringomyelia the symptoms are not in it. Identify the following symptoms:

• weight reduction
• the tone of the small muscles of the hands;
• dysesthesia or loss;
• thermal injury of skin;
• thickening of skin
• change the color of the skin (cyanosis);
• dull pain in cervical or thoracic spine;
• pain in the face;
• deformity of the joints;
• frequent fractures
• thickening of the fingers.

The Violation of temperature and pain sensitivity is a valuable diagnostic feature. These people are not able to distinguish hot from cold, which ultimately results in burns. In lesions of the spinal cord is lost and pain sensitivity. In this case, patients do not notice injuries that can lead to negative consequences. All these symptoms are connected with lesions of the posterior (sensory) horn of the spinal cord in thoracic and cervical regions.

In the process may involve and front horns. There are motor neurons that are directly connected with the muscles. In this situation, patients may present with complaints on a decrease of muscle strength, difficulty of movements, weakness. Specific feature of syringomyelia of the cervical spine is Horner's syndrome. It is manifested by constriction of the pupil, drooping of the upper eyelid and enophthalmos (retraction of the eyeball backward). Symptoms can include paralysis of the legs and dysfunction of the pelvic organs. Additional symptoms of syringomyelia include increased sweating.

Diagnosis and treatment of the disease

Treatment of patients is carried out only after a thorough neurological examination. Diagnosis includes medical history, evaluation of pain and temperature sensitivity, external examination, determination of reflexes, a CT or MRI of the spine, myelography, General analysis of blood and urine. Great importance is the collection of anamnesis of disease and anamnesis of life. An experienced neurologist should know how to treat syringomyelia of the cervical and thoracic spine. Conservative treatment without surgery is possible in the early stages of the disease.

Conservative treatment involves the use of radioactive iodine or phosphorus, diuretics (Furosemide), neuroprotective agents, vitamins, antispasmodics myotropic action (Dibazol).

neuroprotective agents are needed to protect nervecells. From this group the most commonly used Piracetam, Actovegin. For the relief of pain used analgesics (Analgin) and ganglionic. To soothe patients are often prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotics. To improve the transmission of nerve impulses appropriate use of Neostigmine. Additionally, it may be physical therapy. Paresis of the upper extremities and the absence of effect of medical treatment is surgery.

during the operation is drainage of the cavities, removed adhesions, decompression of the spinal cord. The prognosis for health in most cases favorable. The most dangerous is the defeat of the respiratory center. Burns can cause adherence of infection, which if untreated, is the cause of sepsis. Thus, syringomyelia of the spine is a rare neurological disease. The disease for a long time may be asymptomatic.

In case of violation of the sensitivity and causeless occurrence of burns on the body should consult a neurologist and get tested. You may need to consult other specialists.