Syringomyelia associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy causing canal stenosis. A rare association

Abstract

Background: Although cervical spondylosis is extremely common, only few cases with associated syrinx have been reported. Depending on review of two large data bases, we report this case series. In addition, we evaluated the posterior decompression as the management option in treatment of this rare condition.

Materials and methods: Data of all cases with cervical spondylosis and canal stenosis that sought medical advice or needed decompressive laminectomy/laminoplasty between the years 2006 and 2015 were checked in manually. Perioperative data, together with follow up were reviewed.

Results: Out of five cases found in the reviewed data; four cases undergone posterior decompression (laminectomy in two cases and laminoplasty in the other). One case refused surgery. Along mean follow up period of 6.25 months; three cases improved markedly, while in one case no improvement occurred.

Conclusion: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy can rarely cause syringomyelia. Posterior decompression would be the preferable management option with clinical improvement of most of the cases.

Keywords: Laminectomy; Laminoplasty; Spondylotic myelopathy; Syringomyelia.