Long-term result of the Echols procedure for treating syringomyelia

Abstract

<jats:p>In 1974, a 9-year-old girl with syringomyelia and scoliosis was treated using the Echols procedure, a surgical technique that makes use of a metal stent to maintain drainage of fluid from the syrinx into the subarachnoid space. The patient presented to the authors' institution 34 years later with a history of progressive myelopathy and surgically treated deformities of the thoracic spine, lumbar spine, and right foot. Computer-assisted myelography indicated that the metal wire remained in place and that the syrinx had collapsed. Neurological examination and neurophysiological testing confirmed the presence of thoracic myelopathy, which may have been due to the wire tethering the thoracic spinal cord to the dorsal dura. This case is believed to be the only long-term report of the effects of the Echols procedure. The history of direct treatment of syringomyelia is reviewed and is contrasted with indirect treatment of syringomyelia, which relieves the condition by opening obstructed CSF pathways within the foramen magnum or spine.</jats:p>

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Idiopathic Syringomyelia Using Myringotomy T-Tubes: a Case Report and Technical Note

“…In Echol's method, a drain made by twisting several tantalum sutures together was inserted into the syrinx and brought out through another opening. The ends of the drain were sutured to the deep surface of the dura and the dura was closed tightly 19,20 . In another recent study, the silastic wedges were used to preserve patency of the communication between the syrinx cavity and the subarachnoid space by preventing healing of the myelotomy edges and by maintaining an artificial conduit between the syrinx cavity and the subarachnoid space 21 .…”

Syringobulbia: A delayed complication following spinal cord injury – case report

“…Syringobulbia is a very rare progressive disorder of central nervous system which is characterized by the formation of an elongated fluid-filled cavity, called syrinx, in the brainstem. 1,2 According to mythology, Syrinx was a nymph, who pursued by the Greek god Pan, ran to a river's edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds which made a haunting sound when the god's frustrated breath blew across them.…”