• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.633-637
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• 2001

The authors report a case of syringo-pleural shunt for recurrent distal obstruction of syringosubarachnoid shunt in a 23-year-old woman. She complained of tingling sensation and dysesthesia on the left upper extremity. Neuroradiologic imaging studies revealed syringomyelia in the left lateral side of the cord from medulla to 7th thoracic cord level. We identified intraoperatively high internal pressure of the syrinx cavity due to distal shunt tube obstruction. Syringo-pleural shunt was performed and cavity size was markedly decreased at later follow up MRI. In conclusion, the posttraumatic syrinx, especially in cases with previous syringosubarachnoid shunt or diffuse subarachnoid scarring, can be successfully managed with syringo-pleural shunt.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권10호
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• pp.1389-1395
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• 2000

A case report of a post-traumatic syringomyelia in a 29-year old male, developed 15 years after an L1 burst fracture, is presented. On preoperative MRI, the syrinx extended cephalad above the fracture site through the whole thoracic and cervical cord. Serial myelo-CT was performed to evaluate the dynamics of CSF. It was managed by lysis of the arachnoid adhesions, syringosubarachnoid shunt, and expansile duraplasty. After surgery, the patient's symptoms improved, and marked decrease of the syrinx was seen on postoperative MRI. The pathophysiology, the role of preoperative diagnostic methods especially serial myelo-CT, and the contmporary management modalities for posttraumatic syringomyelia is reviewed along with the pertinent literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.169-174
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• 2006

Objective : This study was conducted to examine the correlation between clinical outcomes and the size of the syrinx in post-operative magnetic resonance imaging[MRI] and symptom duration. Methods : The authors investigated twelve patients who underwent various operations for syringomyelia from January 1995 to December 2003. The authors retrospectively analyzed medical records. pre- and post-operative MRI findings, features and durations of symptoms, and the method of surgical treatments. The clinical outcomes were assessed on Prolo scale at 6 months of post-operative period. Results : Neurologic symptoms did not promptly disappear after the shrinkage of syrinx, but post-operative MRI demonstrated most patients showed reductions in the size of the syrinx. There is no statistical relationship between clinical improvements and decrements of the syrinx size. However, patients who underwent surgical treatment within 2 years from the symptom onset had more favorable outcome than those who had operations after 2 years from the onset of symptoms. Conclusion : Change in the size of the syrinx in post-operative MRI is not directly proportional to favorable clinical outcomes. However, symptom duration before surgical treatment has considerable impact on the clinical outcomes.