What can cause a syrinx to grow?

angus · 03-20-2002, 02:03 PM

I have a small (3mm pea sized)syrinx. I've had it for about 2 years. I'm always wondering if it's going to grow. My nero told me not to lose any sleep over it. I just don't want to be opened up again. I've heard that a bad fall can cause it to grow, but no one seems too sure about that? Can a syrinx heal or go away on it's own? I don't want to have a shunt tube put in...

SCI-Nurse · 03-20-2002, 03:24 PM

The short answer to your question is that no one really knows for sure what makes a syrinx grow. There is some speculation that maneuvers that cause you to hold your breath and bear down (the kind of thing a person does when he is straining to pass stool) can cause a syrinx to worsen. So it's probably best to avoid or change activities that cause you to hold your breath (like when you transfer). You probably want to keep your eye out for sensory changes--like losing pain sensation, in your feeling areas, and get in to see your doctor should anything like that occur. Somtimes medicines like diuretics can help reduce the size of a syrinx, so there may be other options than surgery should it start to worsen. A yearly check of sensation and strength watching for deterioration would probably be a good idea. I hope your syrinx stays small and of only academic interest.

RAB

quadfather · 03-20-2002, 06:56 PM

One thing I remember reading is the longer you have a syrinx with no change the more likely it is there will never be a change. That is, stability in size is good and will probably continue.

angus · 03-20-2002, 07:00 PM

How can diuretics shrink a syrinx? Just by draining the water out of your system?

stephen212 · 03-20-2002, 07:03 PM

I am scheduled to get a complete MRI spine series (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) as a precaution to rule out the presence of any additional arteriovenous malformations, the cause of my T4-level injury. I last had an MRI of the spine performed back in 1995.

Aside for making sure that there are no AVMs lurking about (I already had an MRI of the brain performed last week -- results: negative), the MRI is also useful in tracking any growth of the syrinx present at my injury level. As of '95, 12 years post injury, it had not gotten any larger.

03-20-2002, 02:03 PM	#1
angus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: saratoga springs, ny Posts: 187	What can cause a syrinx to grow? I have a small (3mm pea sized)syrinx. I've had it for about 2 years. I'm always wondering if it's going to grow. My nero told me not to lose any sleep over it. I just don't want to be opened up again. I've heard that a bad fall can cause it to grow, but no one seems too sure about that? Can a syrinx heal or go away on it's own? I don't want to have a shunt tube put in...

03-20-2002, 03:24 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,335	Syrinx The short answer to your question is that no one really knows for sure what makes a syrinx grow. There is some speculation that maneuvers that cause you to hold your breath and bear down (the kind of thing a person does when he is straining to pass stool) can cause a syrinx to worsen. So it's probably best to avoid or change activities that cause you to hold your breath (like when you transfer). You probably want to keep your eye out for sensory changes--like losing pain sensation, in your feeling areas, and get in to see your doctor should anything like that occur. Somtimes medicines like diuretics can help reduce the size of a syrinx, so there may be other options than surgery should it start to worsen. A yearly check of sensation and strength watching for deterioration would probably be a good idea. I hope your syrinx stays small and of only academic interest. RAB

03-20-2002, 07:03 PM	#5
stephen212 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New York City Posts: 5,291	Get an MRI I am scheduled to get a complete MRI spine series (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar) as a precaution to rule out the presence of any additional arteriovenous malformations, the cause of my T4-level injury. I last had an MRI of the spine performed back in 1995. Aside for making sure that there are no AVMs lurking about (I already had an MRI of the brain performed last week -- results: negative), the MRI is also useful in tracking any growth of the syrinx present at my injury level. As of '95, 12 years post injury, it had not gotten any larger.

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03-20-2002, 06:56 PM	#3
quadfather Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 633	One thing I remember reading is the longer you have a syrinx with no change the more likely it is there will never be a change. That is, stability in size is good and will probably continue.

03-20-2002, 07:00 PM	#4
angus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: saratoga springs, ny Posts: 187	How can diuretics shrink a syrinx? Just by draining the water out of your system?