Methods:
We analyzed the radiological records of 44 consecutive patients with scoliosis and syringomyelia. Of these 44 patients, 13 had IS, 12 had CM1, and 19 had congenital scoliosis. The radiographs were evaluated to determine the curve magnitude, sagittal alignment, side of convexity, and type of vertebral anomaly, if any. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine was analyzed to determine the presence of craniovertebral anomalies, syrinx length, syrinx diameter, and syrinx-cord ratio (SCR).
Results:
The frequency of left convex curves was 26.1%, with no significant differences across the three groups. The mean length of the syrinx was 7.2±4.9 vertebral levels, and the mean SCR was 0.39±0.2. The mean syrinx length was significantly higher in patients with CM1 and IS, compared to patients with congenital scoliosis. The mean SCR was highest in patients with CM1. In congenital scoliosis, syringomyelia was seen most frequently in patients with a failure of formation, and 63.2% had concomitant cord anomalies.
Conclusions
Syrinxes were smaller in size and length in patients with congenital scoliosis, and are distinct from those seen in IS and CM1.