Thoracic Syrinx in a patient with balance difficulties

Date

2011-04-01

Authors

Richard, Shanan
Wang, Sharon
Georgelas, Timothy

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

The Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy®, Inc. (JOSPT®)

Abstract

The patient was a 42-year-old woman who was referred to a physical therapist with diagnoses of lumbar degenerative joint disease and a left ankle fracture. The patient reported an insidious onset of low back and left lower extremity pain, which began approximately 2 years prior to referral. She reported having difficulties with balance, which ultimately led to a fall 1 year after her low back and left lower extremity pain began. Her fall resulted in a left ankle fracture that required open reduction and internal fixation. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain and spine revealed a diffuse, abnormally increased cord signal. The patient was diagnosed with a thoracic syrinx, which is a longitudinal fluid-filled cavity along the spinal cord. The patient underwent a T5-T6 hemilaminectomy, with placement of a syringopleural shunt between T4 and T6. Following surgery, the patient's neurologic status stabilized and did not deteriorate any further.

Description

Article originally published in Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 41(4), 282–282. English. Published online 2011. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2011.0408

Keywords

Low back pain, Magnetic resonance imaging, Spinal cord, Thoracic spine

Citation

This is the abstract for an article that is available at https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2011.0408. Recommended citation: Richard, S. L., Wang, S. S., & Georgelas, T. J. (2011). Thoracic Syrinx in a patient with balance difficulties. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 41(4), 282–282. This item has been deposited in accordance with publisher copyright and licensing terms and with the author’s permission.