DEAR DR. GOTT: My 16-year-old granddaughter has recently been diagnosed with stage 1 syringomyelia. From what I have read, the prognosis is not good. What can you tell me about this disorder? My granddaughter is a high-school junior. She is very intelligent, works hard, and is even taking college-prep classes.

DEAR READER: Syringomyelia is a disorder in which a cyst, known as syrinx, forms within the spinal cord. Over time, the cyst enlarges and elongates, destroying the center of the spinal cord in the area where it forms.
In many cases, syringomyelia is also associated with a congenital abnormality known as Chiari I malformation, a condition in which the part of the brain called the cerebellum protrudes into the neck portion of the spinal canal. Trauma, meningitis, tumor, arachnoiditis or hemorrhage may result in the development of a syrinx. In rare instances, the condition is inherited.
[Read more...]