Neurosurgery
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Posttraumatic syringomyelia affects approximately 28% of spinal cord injury patients, and current treatments are often ineffective. The pathogenesis of this condition remains poorly understood. Previous reports have focused on pathways and mechanisms of fluid inflow; however, disturbances of fluid outflow mechanisms and pathways may be important in syrinx formation and enlargement. ⋯ In this model of posttraumatic syringomyelia, fluid outflow occurred in a diffuse manner into the surrounding extracellular space and toward the central canal and perivascular spaces. Fluid outflow may be an important consideration in the pathogenesis of syringomyelia and the development of new therapies.