Syrinx disappearance following laminoplasty in cervical canal stenosis associated with Chiari malformation--case report

Abstract

A 50-year-old woman presented with nuchal pain, clumsiness in both hands, and gait disturbance. Cervical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed cervical canal stenosis at C3-C7 levels associated with a syrinx and cerebellar tonsillar herniation. The patient underwent C3-C7 laminoplasty. Her symptoms improved completely, and the patient was discharged 10 days after operation. Postoperative MR imaging showed disappearance of the syrinx. This case suggests that cerebellar tonsillar herniation may not cause syringomyelia. Posterior decompression, such as laminectomy and laminoplasty, without foramen magnum decompression may be an appropriate surgical strategy for diffuse cervical canal stenosis associated with syringomyelia below the narrow canal, even in the presence of co-existing Chiari malformation.