Spinal cord tumor-associated syrinx mimicking abdominal epilepsy: a rare cause of childhood abdominal pain.

A 10-year-old child presented with recurrent abdominal pain. Abdominal epilepsy was suspected as conventional criteria for the diagnosis were met, including an apparent therapeutic response to anticonvulsant medication. Seven months later the patient developed recurrent abdominal pain, a gait disorder, and atrophy of the right thigh and calf. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a thoracic syringomyelia. Anticonvulsant medications were discontinued and a syringoperitoneal shunt was placed with resolution of symptoms. This appears to be a previously undescribed presentation for syringomyelia and emphasizes the importance of considering alternative central nervous system disorders before the diagnosis of abdominal epilepsy is made.