[Comparison of clinical findings and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in syringohydromyelia and intramedullary tumors].

Magnetic resonance imaging allowed a distinct differentiation between syringohydromyelia (9 patients) and intramedullary tumour (2 patients). In syringohydromyelia the morphological evaluation showed a greater extension of the cavitation, especially in the caudal direction, than the estimation according to clinical findings. Tumours were visualised indirectly by changing the physiological shape of the spinal cord; therefore, small parts were not recognisable on magnetic resonance images but detected by the corresponding clinical symptoms. Clinical and morphological data were complementary and both necessary for a comprehensive appreciation of the pathological process.