[Neuroradiological studies in syringomyelia].

In the years 1973--1975 20 patients with syringomyelia were treated surgically. The surgical interventions were preceded by careful radiological examinations which was often indispensable for confirmation of diagnosis, establishing of indications to operation and choice of surgical method. On plain radiograms in 16 cases cervicothoracic scoliosis was found, in 11 cases the vertebral canal was dilated in its cervical part, in 6 cases atlanto-occipital malformations were disclosed. The basic diagnostic examination was ascending myelography which was performed in 17 cases. In 3 cases the contrast medium failed to pass to the atlanto-occipital junction because of marked dilatation of the spinal cord in the cervical part. In 9 out of the remaining 14 cases radiological findings were compatible with the diagnosis of Arnold-Chiari syndrome which was confirmed during the operation. In 1 case positive contrast central pneumoencephalography was performed demonstrating a communication between the 4 th ventricle and the cavity in the spinal cord. Early detailed neuroradiological diagnosis is indispensable in syringomyelia for early surgical treatment.