Experimental ‘hindbrain related’ syringomyelia: some mechanisms of spinal cord damage

Numerous experimental observation and clinical researches demonstrated that the majority of the forms of syringomyelia are found in combination with inherent or acquired hindbrain abnormalities [1,2]. Although hydrodynamic disorders play an important role in the pathogenesis, these forms of syringomyelia, several aspects of this disease are dif icult to explain only on the basis of hydrodynamics. Different theories of pathogenesis of syringomyelia were proposed such as “cranio-spinal pressure dissociation”, transmedullary passage of CSF, impaired venous drainage [2,3]. However, the precise pathogenesis of “hindbrain related” syringomyelia is unknown. There are some references of possible role antibodies in the development of syringomyelia. Researches in this ield are of great interest. It is undoubted, that experimental studies can be used in the explanation of the nature of this important group of neurological disorders, as we do not have possibilities to study directly the human central nervous system.