SYRINGOMYELIA AND SCOLIOSIS

1. In this analysis of forty-three patients with syringomyelia, twenty-seven (63 per cent) had scoliosis. This association is probably due to the early involvement of the ventro-medial and dorso-medial nuclei of the spinal cord by expanding lesions. 2. The literature makes no reference to the treatment of scoliosis associated with syringomyelia. Two cases are presented of attempts to correct this scoliosis–one because of increasing deformity, the other for increasing backache. 3. Due to the presence of cystic lesions characteristic of syringomyelia, corrective operative treatment of scoliosis may present an added risk. 4. Because of the high incidence of scoliosis in patients with syringomyelia, any patient with scoliosis should be examined for evidence of neurological deficit.