Symptoms of Syringomyelia
Children with syringomyelia can have different combinations of symptoms. Some common symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Pain
- Numbness (decreased feeling of touch)
- Tingling, especially in the arms and hands
- Abnormal reflexes of arms and legs
- Spasticity of arms or legs (stiff, rigid or uncontrollable muscle reflexes)
- Abnormal curve in the spine (scoliosis)
- Loss of muscle mass in the arms and legs
- Loss of bowel and bladder control
Syringomyelia Diagnosis
Doctors will watch for signs of syringomyelia if your child has one of the brain and spinal cord conditions that are associated with it. Your child's doctor may also do a neurological exam. This helps the doctor find out if your child has lost any ability to move or feel due to pressure on the spine.
In addition, your child may have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the spine to help doctors look for the cyst.