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Syringomelia is a relatively rare clinical entity in which fluid-filled cavities develop within the spinal cord. Although modern imaging technologies usually permit an accurate diagnosis at an early stage, syringomyelia remains an enigmatic condition. This reference monograph provides an up-to-date account of the present state of understanding of syringomyelia and related disorders. The editors aim to document the best clinical practice in diagnosis and treatment and to provide clear guidance on how to reduce the incidence of severe outcomes. New challenges are addressed, including the appropriate management of the increasing number of apparently idiopathic syrinx cavities that are detected. In addition, controversies in current practice and directions for future research are fully discussed. Syringomelia will be an invaluable source of information for experts in the field, specialists in various related disciplines and other interested health care professionals.
List of contents
Historical aspects.- Epidemiology.- Anatomy and Physiology.- Developmental Anatomy.- Genetics of Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.- The Filling Mechanism.- Mathematical modelling.- Clinical presentation.- Diagnostic Investigations.- Hindbrain Related Syringomyelia.- Post-traumatic and post-inflammatory syringomyelia.- Idiopathic syringomyelia.- Paediatric perspectives.- Veterinary Aspects.- Pregnancy.- Pain management.- The Biochemistry of Syringomyelia.- Patient perspectives.- Medico-legal aspects.- Nomenclature.- History of the imaging of syringomyelia.- Syrinx in Art.- Historical vignettes.- Useful contacts.
About the author
Graham Flint is a consultant neurosurgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, in the UK. In addition to running a busy general neurosurgical practice he has, for the past 15 years, run the specialist syringomyelia clinic there, which was established by the late Bernard Williams. He has accumulated extensive clinical experience in the management of syringomyelia and its related disorders in the adult population. Dr. Flint works closely with patient support groups and, in co-operation with the Ann Conroy Trust, established a network of syringomyelia specialists in the UK. With this group he organised the international symposium Syringomyelia 2007, held in Rugby, UK. This was the predecessor of Syringomyelia 2010, held in Berlin. In addition to studying the outcome of surgical treatments for syringomyelia, he has a particular interest in the disturbances of CSF physiology that underlie the disorder. He has applied well-established physiological methods, used to measure disturbances of CSF circulation in general, to the study of syringomyelia in humans.Clare Rusbridge is a veterinary neurologist who established the neurology/neurosurgery service at Stone Lion Veterinary Hospital in 1997. She qualified as a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in 1991 and became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Neurology in 1996, a European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology in 1998 and an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Neurology in 1999. Her PhD related to Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel. From 2002 to 2006, Dr. Rusbridge was Chair of the Education Committee of the European College of Veterinary Neurology. She is an Honorary Friend of the Ann Conroy Trust and a member of the British Syringomyelia Group. Dr. Rusbridge is a frequently invited international lecturer in the veterinary and human medicine fields. She has authored or co-authored many journal articles and book chapters and acts as a reviewer for a number of journals.
Summary
Syringomelia is a relatively rare clinical entity in which fluid-filled cavities develop within the spinal cord. Although modern imaging technologies usually permit an accurate diagnosis at an early stage, syringomyelia remains an enigmatic condition. This reference monograph provides an up-to-date account of the present state of understanding of syringomyelia and related disorders. The editors aim to document the best clinical practice in diagnosis and treatment and to provide clear guidance on how to reduce the incidence of severe outcomes. New challenges are addressed, including the appropriate management of the increasing number of apparently idiopathic syrinx cavities that are detected. In addition, controversies in current practice and directions for future research are fully discussed. Syringomelia will be an invaluable source of information for experts in the field, specialists in various related disciplines and other interested health care professionals.
Additional text
“This is a great textbook on syringomelia in children and adults. Etiology, mechanisms, biomechanical modeling, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and complications are described in depth for both the researcher and neurosurgeon alike. … The embryonic origins of neurulation and spinal cord differentiation are good also with some new insights.” (Joseph J. Grenier, Amazon.com, September, 2015)
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"This is a great textbook on syringomelia in children and adults. Etiology, mechanisms, biomechanical modeling, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and complications are described in depth for both the researcher and neurosurgeon alike. ... The embryonic origins of neurulation and spinal cord differentiation are good also with some new insights." (Joseph J. Grenier, Amazon.com, September, 2015)
