Use of the syringoperitoneal shunt in the treatment of syringomyelia.

A syringoperitoneal shunt is a one-way drain that empties cerebrospinal fluid from the pathological syringomyelic cavity into the abdomen. This treatment technique is based on the principle that the signs and symptoms of syringomyelia are caused by insidious interference with the condition of nerve signals in the spinal cord tracts due to either tearing or compression of the tracts by the distended cavity. A series of eight patients suffering from this disorder were operated upon using a syringoperitoneal shunt. The initial results seem to indicate that this technique is especially useful when pain, atrophy, or both dominate the clinical picture. Clinical signs, diagnostic studies, and surgical considerations are discussed.