[Late syringomyelic syndromes in paraplegics].

The authors have reviewed 35 cases in the literature and reported on 12 cases seen personally of late onset syringomyelia in paraplegics. Initial pain was found to be present in only slightly more than half the cases and an insidious onset particularly with sensory disturbance led sometimes to delayed recognition. In the fully developed case, it can closely simulate idiopathic syringomyelia with arthropathy but impairment of touch and proprioception sometimes occurs in addition. Neurosurgical treatment to the fluid-filled cavity, does not seem to modify obviously the spontaneous evolution of the condition. In 5 cases, the paraplegia was not of traumatic origin. Possible mechanisms are discussed.