Tremor Caused by Dandy-Walker Syndrome Concomitant with Syringomyelia: Case Report and Review of the Literature Review

World Neurosurg. 2020 Apr:136:301-304. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.01.045. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Abstract

Background: Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) is a rare congenital brain malformation characterized by underdevelopment of cerebellar vermis and cystic enlargement of the fourth ventricle and enlargement of the posterior fossa. The cooccurrence of DWS and syringomyelia in adults is very rare.

Case description: We report a man aged 19 years who presented with a 2-year history of tremor. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cystic dilation of the fourth ventricle, hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, and syringomyelia. Posterior fossa decompression and spinal cord ostomy were performed. Tremor was markedly improved and the fourth ventricular and the syringomyelia were reduced in size postoperatively.

Conclusions: Tremor can be a clinical manifestation in patients of DWS concomitant with syringomyelia in adults. Spinal cord ostomy combined with posterior fossa decompression may be an effective approach for alleviation of symptoms and syringomyelia.

Keywords: Dandy-Walker syndrome; Posterior fossa decompression; Spinal cord ostomy; Syringomyelia; Tremor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Vermis / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebellar Vermis / pathology
  • Cranial Fossa, Posterior / surgery
  • Dandy-Walker Syndrome / complications*
  • Dandy-Walker Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Fourth Ventricle / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Ostomy
  • Spinal Cord / surgery
  • Syringomyelia / complications*
  • Syringomyelia / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tremor / diagnostic imaging
  • Tremor / etiology*
  • Young Adult