Syringobulbia extending to the basal ganglia.

Syringomyelia and syringobulbia are diseases in which there is a tubular cavitation of the spinal cord and medulla. CT with intrathecal injection of water-soluble contrast material (CT myelography) and, more recently, MR imaging have led to a revolution in the diagnosis of syringomyelia. Syringobulbia is much rarer than syringomyelia and usually associated with it [1]. Radiologic demonstration of the cavity in syringobulbia is very difficult, since the cavity in the brainstem is narrow and slitlike. We report a case of associated syringomyelia and syringobulbia in which there is radiologic demonstration of the cavity extending from the lower thoracic cord through the brainstem and basal ganglia up to the left lateral ventricle (syringocephalia).