Congenital syringobulbia a radiological study with clinical correlation, study of its incidence and probable aetiopathogenic factors

ABSTRACT

In the present study 25 patient with the clinical diagnosis of congenital syringomyelia are included. All cases were examined MRI. The brain, craniocervical junction, the cervical and upper dorsal spine were scaned in every patient. Special focus of attention was given to the brain stem for evidence of syringobulbia. 9 patients were also examined by CT myelography with early and late study [done 6 Hr later]. The brain stem, craniocervical junction and the cervical spine were scanned. Four, cases [16%] were found to have brain stem cavitations in conjunction with syringomyelia. Cases with syringomyelia and syringobulbia are compared with syringomyelia cases without syringobulbia hoping to find out aetiopatho genie factors or risk factors that are responsible for extension of syringomyelic cavitation to the brain stem, as early correction of these factors might help preventing extension of syringomyelic cavitations to the medulla. Full description of the pathoanatomical types of syringobulbia will also be made