SYRINGOENCEPHALIA Meaning and
Definition
-
Syringoencephalia is a medical term that refers to a rare condition characterized by the presence of a fluid-filled cavity, known as a syrinx, within the brain and/or spinal cord. This neurological disorder is classified as a type of hydrocephalus, which involves an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the central nervous system.
The syrinx is typically formed due to a blockage or obstruction in the normal flow of CSF, leading to a buildup of the fluid within the brain or spinal cord. As the syrinx expands, it exerts pressure on the surrounding neural tissues, resulting in a variety of symptoms such as headache, neck or back pain, difficulty walking, muscle weakness, numbness, and in some cases, bladder or bowel dysfunction.
The exact cause of syringoencephalia remains unclear, but it can be either congenital (present at birth) or acquired later in life. Congenital cases are often associated with developmental abnormalities, such as Chiari malformation or spinal dysraphism, while acquired cases may result from trauma, tumors, infections, or complications of previous surgeries.
Diagnosis of syringoencephalia involves a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, and neuroimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Treatment options depend on the severity of symptoms and underlying causes, ranging from conservative management (e.g., pain relief and physical therapy) to surgical procedures aimed at decompressing the syrinx or restoring the normal flow of CSF.
Overall, syringoencephalia is a complex neurological disorder characterized by the presence of a fluid-filled cavity within the brain or spinal cord, requiring careful diagnosis and tailored treatment approaches.
-
A condition of porosity of the brain substance.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for SYRINGOENCEPHALIA
- ayringoencephalia
- zyringoencephalia
- xyringoencephalia
- dyringoencephalia
- eyringoencephalia
- wyringoencephalia
- stringoencephalia
- sgringoencephalia
- shringoencephalia
- suringoencephalia
- s7ringoencephalia
- s6ringoencephalia
- syeingoencephalia
- sydingoencephalia
- syfingoencephalia
- sytingoencephalia
- sy5ingoencephalia
- sy4ingoencephalia
- syrungoencephalia
- syrjngoencephalia
Etymology of SYRINGOENCEPHALIA
The word "syringoencephalia" is derived from two roots: "syringo" and "encephalia".
The first part, "syringo", comes from the Greek word "syrinx", meaning "tube" or "pipe". In medical terminology, "syrinx" refers to a fluid-filled cavity or tube-like structure.
The second part, "encephalia", is derived from the Greek word "enkephalos", meaning "brain". "Enkephalos" is further derived from "en", which means "in", and "kephale", meaning "head". The suffix "-ia" in "encephalia" indicates a condition or disease.
Therefore, "syringoencephalia" refers to a condition or disease characterized by fluid-filled cavities or tube-like structures within the brain.
