Syringomyelia is a term used to describe the formation of an intramedullary cyst filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the spinal cord.  The pathophysiology of syringomyelia following SCI is not completely understood.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the diagnostic test of choice for diagnosing syringomyelia and is able to detect fluid movement, syringomyelia and other abnormalities. 

• There is level 2 evidence that shunting improves pain, motor function and sensory loss in some SCI patients with syringomyelia; however, a high rate of shunt failure has been observed. 
• There is level 2 evidence that untethering improves spasticity in more patients with syringomyelia than shunting.
• There is level 2 evidence that untethering improves motor and sensory loss.

• There is level 4 evidence, from one study, that cordectomy improves motor and sensory function post syringomyelia.

  There is level 4 evidence, from one pre-post study, that cordectomy improves quality of life of individuals post syringomyelia.

• There is level 5 evidence that embryonic tissue transplantation along with drainage, untethering and shunting may obliterate syringomyelia cysts and improve sensory loss.