SYRINGOMYELIA

Spinal cord cyst

Syringomyelia is the presence of a cyst, called a syrinx, in the cerebral canal of the spine. The canal is in the middle of the spinal cord, but it’s mostly empty in adults. Syrinxes grow outward, compressing the central parts of the spinal cord. That kind of injury is called central cord syndrome. Some people are born with syrinxes (Type 1 Chiari malformations), but other people develop them after lots of small repetitive whiplash injuries (divers for example). 

What are the neurological symptoms of spinal cord syndrome?

The symptoms onset slowly and progress steadily. The syrinxes grow slowly, and can understandably cause some neck and back pain. 

Motor - Flaccid weakness at the level of the lesion, and spastic weakness below the level of the lesion. Incontinence is possible

Sensory - A cape-like distribution of analgesia