Progressive scoliosis and syringomyelia: characteristics of surgical tactics

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the results of surgical correction of scoliosis in patients with syringomyelia. Material and Methods. The study included 33 patients with syringomyelia and the enlarged spinal canal. Neurosurgical intervention was performed in 20 patients. The following operations were carried out: formation of a large occipital tank, draining and emptying of cysts, and resection of terminal filament. Nineteen patients were operated on using the CDI. Four patients are undergoing stage correction with VEPTR. In one case, instrumentation was not successful, and nine patients are receiving treatment at the Department of Neurosurgery. Results. The study did not reveal any statistically significant relationship between sex, age, deformity apex, side of scoliot- ic curve, rate of progression, neurological symptoms and the presence of syringomyelia. It was noted that the neurological deficit begins to develop when a cyst width exceeds 4.5 mm, yet its length and location do not play a significant role. In the presence of cysts of up to 9 mm in width, clinical manifestation and neurological symptoms may be absent. Conclusion. The proposed approach to the treatment of patients with spinal deformities, which have syringomyelia as a concomitant vertebral pathology can allow to achieve satisfactory results in scoliosis correction and to avoid neurological complications.

Keywords

• syringomyelia
• idiopathic scoliosis
• correction of spinal deformity