Spine Disorders
WHEN TO SEE A SPINE
SPECIALIST You should
seek the advice of a spine specialist if neck or back pain persists for more
than two weeks or if it is progressive in intensity and/or distribution. You
should seek immediate healthcare attention if neck or back pain occurs as the
result of an injury or if it is associated with serious illness and/or a high
fever. Additional signs and symptoms which warrant prompt medical attention
include:
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSIS Physicians now use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose
syringomyelia. The MR imager takes pictures of body structures, such as the
brain and spinal cord, in vivid detail. This test will show the syrinx in the
spine as well as other conditions, such as the presence of a tumor. MRI is
safe, painless, and informative and has greatly improved the diagnosis of
syringomyelia. Images taken in rapid succession can be used for “dynamic
imaging� (in “cine mode�) to observe the fluid flowing around the spinal cord
and within the syrinx. One of the main imaging goals is to identify the
causative factors and to rule out associated or contributory conditions. The physician may order additional tests to help confirm the
diagnosis. One of these is called electromyography (EMG), which measures muscle
weakness. The doctor may also wish to test CSF pressure levels and to analyze
the CSF by performing a lumbar puncture. In addition, computed tomography (CT)
scans of a patient's head may reveal the presence of tumors and other
abnormalities such as hydrocephalus. Like MRI and CT scans, another test, called a myelogram, takes
x-ray-like pictures and requires a contrast medium or dye to do so. Since the
introduction of MRI this test is rarely necessary to diagnose syringomyelia. |