Just been told I have a Syrinx in spinal canal!

I have suffered with sever back pain for over 10years. In March I was rushed to hospital in unbearable pain after an MRI scan of lower back they found a small Syrinx but I saw a neurosurgeon who said doesn't think its the problem,I may have had it all my life & as it is only in 1-2discs & he doesn't feel there is any neurological damage(apparently numbness,pins & needles in arms & legs don't count)needs no further action! Unhappy I spoke to my doctor & insisted on an MRI of full spine the result was that the Syrinx which is in your spinal canal runs from C6-L4 & is 3mm wide at C6.
How wide is your spinal canal? Do they operate on Syrinx if so when,how big does it have to be? How is the operation done?

[wendyjimmyk]

I am a nurse and also a patient, seen mutiple doctors and several mri's later found to have a schmorl's node at t-9 cervical stenosis, lumbar stenosis and syrinx in both cervical and entire length of thoracic spine (central canal). Feel like my life is over even though i'm only 40 have severe pain upon wakening until i finally sleep for a few hours. The neurosurgeon treats everyone, not only me i've been told as if we are drug seeking drama queens. Believe me i have better things to spend my money on than doctor's and mri's. Taking this medication is like putting a bandaid on it and who has the money or the time to rest. THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE , i'm at the end of my rope. surgery seems like my only option since physical therapy, acupunture, ultrasound, chiropracture, massage and steroid injections all seem to fail. I am worried about spinal cord irreversable damage. I'm a nurse and can't get anywhere with this problem. Is there any hope for us suffering so bad? Would the doctor let thier family members suffer the way we do? I have researched and tried everything. All I CAN DO JUST TO MAKE IT TO WORK EVERYDAY. I just want to refer myself to Mayo....too young too just give up. I need a pep talk folks

[selmaS]

Hi...many with a syrinx...also known as syringomyelia can have a related condition known as chiari malformation....

A syrinx can form as a congenital condition or it can be acquired from an injury.

First u need to know which u have and if u have related conditions.....most times a obstruction of CSF flow will cause the formation of a syrinx...and depending on the location and size, the type of symptoms u may encounter...and I know u will encounter drs that  feel u should feel nothing at all....

I do have in my journal, an article on shunts for syrinx's....u may want to take a look, but drs that do treat chiari also treat syringomyelia...so u may want to try there.

We also have a forum for chiari and we so have others with syrinx's as members-http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Chiari-Malformation/show/257?camp=msc

"selma"