Syrinx

[smileymom]

My daughter is 12.
Recently she had back pain with radiation into her leg which prompted an MRI. We discovered a bulging disc at L4.
(She had been in dance class and it is believed maybe a 'back bend trick' did it)
In any case, during the MRI phase the doctor incorrectly requested a thoracic MRI, rather than lumbar. This turned out to be good as the thoracic revealed a syrinx. Another, cervical MRI was ordered and they located a syrinx at C4 extending down to around C7 (i think) about 5cm if I remember rightly.
We weren't aware of symptoms related to this before it was found, (tho now, as we look back I remeber times when she seemed to have an awfully high pain tolerance - she sliced her foot open at age 4, and barely reacted. Not like you'd thinlk anyway)
The nuerosurgeon has elected to do yearly MRIs to monitor as it is so high in the cervical region.
The lumbar bulging disc has resolved and she was 'released' but I am stil concerned re the syrinx.
Is it likley she will stay with no symptoms?
Should she be on precautions? Is jump rope or PE likely to cause trouble?
What about other symptoms, not pain or loss of sensationt type?
Can it cause trouble with concetration? Malaise?
Thanks so very much

[(Not so) Spunky]

I would definitely have a cervical and brain MRI done. Syrinx's can have no symptoms, but they can also cause paralysis with one wrong bend. They can stop growing, or they can grow rapidly- increasing the chances of paralysis. I have Chiari w/syrinx, and had my decompression surgery in May. My syrinx has shrunk dramatically, but I am suffering from some permanent nerve damage- I have numbness/tingling all down my right side. I agree with the above poster to do your own research, and visit their mentioned websites. Syrinx's can be tricky, and you will want a specialist. Being that she's 12, you may want to push the issue. She has so much life ahead of her to have something like this to worry about. Sorry to hear her situation, but I hope that you are able to find the right care you need. I'll keep her in my thoughts. Good luck to you both. As a parent- one who now knows my children will ppossibly go through what I did, I know the fear that this can produce. Stay strong!!!

[selmaS]

HI...another term for the syrinx is syringomeylia....it is a related condition to chairi malformation...did ur daughter also have a brain MRI w/wo contrast?......and did they do the lombar MRI?

You may want to visit the chiari forum here on med help, u will find many others going thru this....including myself.

Also the first thing we tell everyone....make sure the NS is a chiari/syringomyelia specialist...ne NS can dx it, but r not treating enuff to get the best care!!

Ur best place for info on the web is the ASAP web site, or TCI.....also the health pages in the chiari forum.

Good luck
Godspeed
"selma"