Post-traumatic syringomyelia. Review of the literature and two new autopsy cases.

Two cases of post-traumatic syringomyelia studied macro- and microscopically are reported and compared with three previous autopsy cases described in the literature reviewed. The histological findings suggest that the pathogenesis may be explained by a pressure gradient in a small primary cavity. Although syringomyelia is a rare complication of traumatic spinal cord lesions, it is important to draw attention to the condition because it may be improved by surgical intervention.