Syringomyelia in children: six case reports and review of the literature.

We present six cases of syringomyelia in children below the age of 16 years seen during the last 8 years at the neurosurgical departments in the west of Yorkshire. The clinical presentation of syringomyelia in children is different from that in adults and magnetic resonance imaging is the investigation of choice. Because of the natural history of syringomyelia, the long-term results of surgical treatment are very difficult to evaluate accurately. Although our series is small, it does highlight the presentations and the methods of investigation. The diversity of pathology is noted; in particular any associated hydrocephalus or intramedullary tumour.