Syringomyelia Presenting as Lower Cervical Radiculopathy: A case report.

, Kim, Soo A; , Chung, Jae Seok; , Kim, Ho Sung; , Koh, Jae Hyun; , Lee, Yang Gyun

Case Report

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2005;29(1):145-148.

Kim, Soo A , Chung, Jae Seok , Kim, Ho Sung , Koh, Jae Hyun , Lee, Yang Gyun

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Korea. md71820@hanmail.net

하부 경수 신경근병변으로 나타난 척수공동증⁣증례 보고⁣

김수아, 정재석, 김호성, 고재현, 이양균

순천향대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실

Abstract

Syringomyelia may present with confusing, unilateral patterns of segmental muscle involvement and dissociated sensory loss. The objective of this study was to report a patient with syringomyelia and Chiari malformation type 1 (CM 1) who had an unusual presentation suggesting lower cervical radiculopathy. A 50-year-old woman presented with clinical evidence of left lower cervical radiculopathy. Nerve conduction studies revealed normal in both motor and sensorynerves of the left upper extremity. Electromyography showed abnormal spontaneous activities in the paracervical muscles at C7-T1 levels and in some examined muscles of the left upper extremity such as abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging of cervical spine demonstrated syringomyelia at C4- T4 levels. Syringomyelia may clinically mimic lower cervical radiculopathy. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 145-148)

Key Words: Syringomyelia, Chiari malformation, Electromyography