Syringomyelia in a patient with a history of hemiplegia in childhood

Lisbel Garzón Cutiño, Maytee Olivera Vega, Ahmed Rubier Ortega, Amanda López Reyes, Luis Daniel Guzmán Campo and Deborah Cabrera Rodríguez
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Lisbel Garzón Cutiño: Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. Miguel Enríquez”. Servicio de Neurología. La Habana. Cuba
Maytee Olivera Vega: Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. Miguel Enríquez”. Servicio de Neurología. La Habana. Cuba
Ahmed Rubier Ortega: Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “General Calixto Garcia”. Servicio de Neurocirugía. La Habana. Cuba
Amanda López Reyes: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Miguel Enríquez”. La Habana Cuba
Luis Daniel Guzmán Campo: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Miguel Enríquez”. La Habana Cuba
Deborah Cabrera Rodríguez: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Miguel Enríquez”. La Habana Cuba

International Journal of Neurology, 2026, vol. 60, 224

Abstract: Introduction: Syringomyelia is a spinal cord cavitation disorder with an incidence of 8.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, predominantly manifesting in young adults (around age 30). Its pathophysiology involves alterations in cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and is associated with Chiari I malformation in 90% of cases. The clinical presentation, determined by the location of the cyst, includes loss of thermal and pain sensitivity, pyramidal signs, and muscle atrophy. Case report: A 67-year-old male with a history of hypertension and epilepsy presented with a 5-month history of walking inability. Neurological examination revealed interosseous atrophy, spastic quadriparesis, sensory level at T4, and pyramidal signs. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of syringomyelia. Surgical intervention was performed via a posterior craniocervical approach, involving durotomy (with observed CSF outflow under pressure), excision of the syrinx cavity capsule, and duraplasty. Postoperative evolution and rehabilitation were satisfactory. Conclusions: This case underscores the efficacy of management based on accurate imaging diagnosis and timely surgical intervention. Presentation in the seventh decade represents a significant variation from the usual epidemiological pattern, possibly influenced by a history of hemiplegia in childhood. Surgical decompression proved to be a fundamental therapeutic strategy, capable of favorably modifying functional prognosis, even in elderly patients.

Keywords: Syringomyelia; spinal cord cavitation; durotomy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwh:ijneur:v:60:y:2026:id:224

DOI: 10.62486/ijn2026224

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