Syringomyelia (SM) is a disorder in which a cyst forms within
the spinal cord, expands and elongates over time, and destroys the center of
the cord, resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms
or legs. Symptoms can include headaches, inability to distinguish heat and cold,
disruption in body temperature, and may adversely affect sweating, sexual
function and bladder and bowel control.
SM can be caused by trauma to
the spinal cord, congenital developmental problems of the brain and/or spinal, or
from trauma as a result of a car accident or serious fall. It may lie dormant and undetected for months or
years until symptoms become bothersome enough to warrant medical attention.
Many people are not diagnosed until mid-life, but MRI testing has greatly
improved the ability to diagnose SM.
Chiari (kee-AR-ee) malformation
(CM) is characterized by herniation of the cerebellus through the large opening
in the base of the skull into the spinal canal. The herniated tissue blocks the circulation of the
cerebrospinal fluid in the brain which can result in the formation of a cavity
within the spinal cord. Patients
with CM1 may experience no symptoms, or may not appear until adolescence or
early adulthood. They often complain of severe headaches and neck pain,
dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears,
difficulty swallowing, palpitations, sleep apnea, muscle weakness, impaired
fine motor skills, chronic fatigue and painful tingling of the hands and feet.
Because symptoms are so complicated, patients with CM1 are often misdiagnosed.
CM2, the most prevalent form, is usually as a result of congenital
malformation, although some cases are acquired. CM2 and CM3 are more severe malformations
that are apparent at birth.
Today SM and CM affect approximately 300,000 people in the
U.S. with an estimated 13,000 additional cases diagnosed each year. In an effort to create awareness of, and
to learn more about the causes, symptoms and potential treatment options for SM
and CM, Mark and Barbara Kane of West Seneca founded the Column of Hope (COH)
Foundation in an attempt to help find answers for their daughter who suffers
from both.
Over the past eight years COH has raised more than $430,000
to fund research, with much of it occurring in Australia under the supervision
of Dr. Marcus Stoodley, aided by the study of many local patients participating
in the ”Out of Phase” portion carried out at Dent Neurological Institute in
Amherst. Today the Stoodley team’s
research, focusing on post-traumatic syringomyelia, continues.
On October 15, 2011 John Hiess, M.D., from the National Institute of Health (NIH) informed an audience in Buffalo that further studies are currently underway. The combined talents of researchers in Madison, Wisconsin and Oslo, Norway, are now in the process of studying turbulence in cerebral spinal fluid.
About the Author:
Barbara Woodworth Amherst resident
Barbara Woodworth is a freelance journalist who focuses on health, careers,
diversity and business. Her more than 1,000 articles have appeared in 50+
national, international and regional publications.
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