Objective: To analyse the diagnostic and surgical experience in 17 patients with secondary syringohydromyelia.
Methods: Physical examination and MRI were carried out before operation. Surgical treatments were selected according to their different original disorders.
Results: In three of 8 patients, intramedullary tumors were completely removed, 4 subtotally and 1 partially. Pathological examination showed mainly ependymoma. The tumor and syrinx on MRI were shown along the central axis of the spinal cord, but this was not the same on other 9 of the 17 patients with extramedullary disorders, which were treated for their original disorders. The syrinx was shrunken in all 5 patients taking MRI for countercheck.
Conclusions: The diagnosis of secondary syringohydromyelia mainly depends on MRI. Surgical treatment should aim at their original disorders. Syringohydromyelia includes two pathological types: hydromyelia and syringomyelia. Those secondary to intramedullary ependymoma are mostly hydromyelia, which may be caused by expanding of tumor along the central canal of the spinal cord.