Can a syrinx develop later in life?

[Lylashine]

I posted this in the Neurology section already, but I just came across this community and figured you guys would know best :) I'm new to the site so bear with me!

I was diagnosed with Chiari in November 2008. It has since progressed fairly significantly. When I was first diagnosed in 2008, I had a herniation of 13mm. January 2009 it was 14mm. May of 2010 I was at 15mm. And finally, my most recent MRI which was done November 2012  was at 17mm, though there is also a note that my head appears slightly flexed in the picture, which could have skewed results a bit. At my most recent follow up (a couple weeks ago) my NS thought surgery was the best route at this point. I'm going to see a specialist who I've seen before in Madison, Wi in about a month to see if he agrees with that.

However, the main point of this question is actually about a syrinx. When I had my original MRI in 2008 they also did a lumbar spine MRI which showed no syrinx. I'm having new, pretty severe pain in my upper back lately I'm a bit concerned about now. I can't think of anything I could have done to throw my back out lately other than the fact that my job does at times require heavy lifting. But I pretty much woke up with it-I didn't suddenly notice it after doing something. It's a very pinpoint spot in my back. My whole back isn't achey-it's when I tilt my head forward or back (or breathe in deeply) I get this searing pain between my shoulder blades. I'm a bit concerned about this. Since that MRI, I had a pretty nasty fall off my horse in May 2010, and a car accident May 2011. Also fell off a horse in March 2012, but that wasn't as bad of a fall. Think it's worth having checked out? I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anything, but it's so expensive to get an MRI and I think my insurance is getting annoyed. Does this even sound like symptoms of a syrinx, or is it just regular Chiari-related back pain? Can a syrinx even form later if one isn't present to start? I'm 20, if it makes a difference.

[selmaS]

  A CINE is the same as a flow study...so u have that.

Impediment =: An impediment is anything that slows or blocks progress in ur case CSF flow...for many with Chiari the obstruction is generally to the back of the head, which is meant by posterior.

Turbulent flow could mean that the tonsils r pulsating to allow CSF to flow past....this is pretty typical for those with an obstruction.


The herniation is again not the issue, it is the obstruction and how it affects ur overall health.

Consider ur tonsil this way...it can be long like shoe string licorice and not obstruct CSF, know to visulize, the licorice is running thru a funnel...so no matter how long, liquid can still flow, but it can be very short 2 or 3mm but shaped more like a gumdrop, this can cork it all up....so the length is not something u should consider.

U may want to know y, it is growing, and by that I mean, did they rule out tethered cord which pulls down the tonsils and on the brain stem....so look into that as well as if u have a syrinx or ehlers-danlos....

I totally agree if u can manage do not have surgery to have surgery...it is only to restore CSF flow and slow progression (of syrinx)...it will not rid u of chiari, and it is possible to have more issues post op as u never know how ur body will respond to the surgery itself.

  Look to ur symptoms, and ur health....and go from there : )

[Lylashine]

Hi Selma, thanks for the answer!

Thank goodness for having my med records online! So helpful! This is what it says regarding my CSF Flow study "Alteration in the cerebrospinal fluid at the level of the foramen magnum in which there is impediment of posterior cerebrospinal fluid as well as turbulent flow in the area of the inferiorly displaced tonsillar tip."....if you're able to translate that! I know they've done contrast, but CINE isn't sounding familiar (same thing? Similar?). I did just also notice that thoratic & cervical spine is on there too, with no syrinx. Missed it the first time.

My insurance does pay, however my latest MRI was close to 4,000 dollars and while insurance covered most of it, we still had to pay a few hundred dollars for it.

I originally wasn't a candidate because he wanted to watch it a bit. It's not really that he ever said I couldn't have the surgery, he always pretty much left it up to me. He said if my symptoms were bearable, there's no sense in going through major surgery. however, my symptoms are getting worse, and the herniation is getting worse. He's saying now that while obviously surgery should in theory help my symptoms, it also could prevent further damage. That's pretty much why now is a better time than before. He started to lose me (long appointment, lots of info!), but there's something close by there he was worried about getting damaged-and he said those cells don't regrow and once it's damaged, it's damaged for good. Anyway, don't know if I'm making any sense, but there are many reasons now is a better time than before.