Syringomyelia after spinal cord injury.

This sequela may be more common than is recognized. Because syringomyelia can progress to advanced stages without overt symptoms, awareness of this entity is vital for early diagnosis. Unexplained pain, numbness and ascending or descending anesthesia, followed by motor loss, point to the diagnosis. Other signs include neurotrophic arthropathy, Horner's syndrome, autonomic dysreflexia and manifestations of brainstem involvement. Computed tomography helps identify the cysts. Operative procedures to promote drainage of the fluid from the syrinx may cure or halt progression of the lesion.