Syringomyelia: Symptoms, Causes and Surgery in Istanbul

In short

What Is Syringomyelia?

Syringomyelia is a cavity full of spinal fluid, a syrinx, inside the spinal cord. Over time, however, the syrinx can grow and press on the nerve fibers around it. As a result, many people lose the feeling of heat and pain in their hands.

A syrinx usually forms because spinal fluid cannot flow freely around the cord. Most often, a Chiari malformation blocks that flow at the base of the skull. Spinal cord injuries, tumors and scar tissue can also cause it.

So treatment aims at the cause, not only at the fluid. Many small syrinxes, however, need only regular MRI checks.

At a Glance

What it isA pocket of fluid, the syrinx, inside the spinal cord
Typical signHands that no longer feel heat or pain
Main causeA Chiari malformation; also injury, tumors or scar tissue
DiagnosisMRI of the spine and brain, sometimes with a flow study
No symptoms?Often no surgery, only check-ups and repeat MRI scans
Main treatmentSurgery that removes the cause; a shunt only as a last resort

Start with your situation

What Brought You Here?

First, pick the line closest to your situation. It then takes you to the matching part of this guide.

01Numb hands, or burns you did not feelLoss of the feeling of heat, cold and pain
02Burning pain in the neck, shoulders or armsNerve pain that coughing or straining can stir up
03Weak hands, thin muscles or stiff legsSigns that the syrinx affects movement
04New symptoms years after a spinal cord injuryPossible post-traumatic syringomyelia
05An MRI found a syrinx, but you feel wellWhen regular checks are enough
06Planning treatment from abroadLength of stay, flights and follow-up at home

Symptoms

Syringomyelia Symptoms

Symptoms usually start slowly and get worse over years, often between ages 25 and 40. They depend especially on the place, width and length of the syrinx. Some people, however, have no symptoms at all.

Loss of the feeling of heat and pain

The classic sign is a loss of the feeling of heat, cold and pain. Touch, in contrast, often stays normal for a long time. Doctors call this split pattern dissociated sensory loss.

It especially affects the shoulders, arms and upper chest, like a cape. So people burn or cut their hands without noticing.

Burning pain and headaches

Many people feel burning or aching pain in the neck, shoulders, arms or upper back. Coughing, sneezing or straining can also make it flare.

Ordinary painkillers often help little with this nerve pain. Medicines for nerve pain, however, may ease it. Headaches occur too, especially with a Chiari malformation.

Weakness, thin muscles and stiffness

When the syrinx reaches the nerves for movement, the hands and arms weaken. The muscles at the base of the thumb may waste. So gripping a cup or doing up buttons gets harder.

Reflexes in the arms may also fade. Later, the legs can turn stiff and unsteady, and walking becomes difficult.

A curving spine in children

In children, scoliosis may be the only sign of a syrinx, according to NINDS. So a curve that bends left or worsens quickly calls for a spinal MRI. Ideally, this happens first, before any scoliosis surgery.

Some children also trip often or walk on their toes. For other conditions in children, see pediatric neurosurgery.

Bladder, sweating and other body functions

A larger syrinx can also disturb the nerves for automatic body functions. Then bladder or bowel control, sexual function and sweating may change.

Sometimes the cavity extends into the brainstem, which doctors call syringobulbia. It can then affect swallowing, the voice and feeling in the face.

Questions at this stage

Can syringomyelia cause headaches?

Yes, especially when a Chiari malformation lies behind the syrinx. Straining or coughing can then trigger a headache at the back of the head. Headaches have many causes, however, so an examination comes first.

Act early

When to See a Doctor About a Syrinx

A syrinx usually changes slowly, so most people have time to plan a visit. Still, some changes call for a prompt check, and a few need emergency care.

Book a doctor's visit if you notice:

Hands that miss heat, or burns you did not feel
Burning neck, shoulder or arm pain that keeps returning
Weak, clumsy or thinning hand muscles
A new or fast-growing spinal curve in a child
New symptoms after an old spinal cord injury

Seek emergency care for:

Weakness that gets worse over days or weeks
New loss of bladder or bowel control
Trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice or slurred speech
Shallow breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep
Widespread numbness right after an injury

These signs can mean rising pressure on the spinal cord or brainstem. So get help at the nearest hospital first, rather than waiting for a visit abroad.

Causes

What Causes Syringomyelia?

A syrinx forms when something blocks the normal flow of spinal fluid around the cord. Fluid then seeps into the cord and collects there. So finding that blockage comes first, because treatment targets it.

Cause	What happens	Who it affects
Chiari malformation	The lower cerebellum crowds the skull opening and blocks the flow	Young and middle-aged adults; the most common cause
Spinal cord injury	Scar tissue at the injury narrows the fluid space	People months to decades after the injury
Spinal cord tumor	A tumor inside the cord disturbs the flow	Any age
Arachnoiditis	Inflammation leaves bands of scar tissue around the cord	People after meningitis, bleeding or spine surgery
Tethered cord	The lower end of the cord stays fixed and stretches	Children, often with spina bifida
No cause found	Detailed scans show no blockage (idiopathic)	Any age; often a small, stable syrinx

NINDS also groups syringomyelia into two forms. The congenital (communicating) form mostly comes with a Chiari malformation. Acquired forms follow an injury, meningitis, arachnoiditis, a tethered cord or a tumor.

Chiari Malformation: The Most Common Cause

In a Chiari malformation, the lower cerebellum sits low and crowds the skull opening. In fact, most cases of syringomyelia come with it, NINDS notes.

Still, Chiari and syringomyelia differ. Chiari is crowding at the skull base; the syrinx is its effect in the cord. So treatment aims at the skull base; see our guide to Chiari malformation.

Syringomyelia After a Spinal Cord Injury

A syrinx can develop months or even decades after a spinal cord injury, MedlinePlus explains. Scar tissue at the injury narrows the space around the cord, so fluid collects inside.

The warning sign is new loss of feeling or strength after years without change. So if you live with an old injury, report any new change to your doctor.

Spinal Cord Tumors

Some tumors (tumours) inside the cord, such as ependymomas and hemangioblastomas, cause a syrinx. NINDS also notes that removing such a tumor almost always eliminates the syrinx. For tumor types, see spinal cord and spine tumors.

Scar Tissue and a Tethered Cord

Meningitis, bleeding or spine surgery can also inflame the arachnoid around the cord. Doctors call this arachnoiditis. The scar bands it leaves can then trap the fluid.

In a tethered cord, however, the lower end of the cord stays fixed and stretches. It often comes with spina bifida in children. Our guide to tethered cord release in children explains the operation.

Is syringomyelia hereditary?

Syringomyelia itself does not usually run in families. Chiari I malformation, its most common cause, sometimes does. So tell your doctor if a relative has either condition.

Diagnosis

How Doctors Diagnose Syringomyelia

An MRI scan is the most reliable way to diagnose syringomyelia, according to NINDS. First, however, the neurosurgeon tests your feeling, strength and reflexes.

Prof. Albayrak then looks for the syrinx and its cause, with these tests as needed:

MRI of the neck and upper back: where the syrinx sits, and how long and wide it is
MRI of the brain: a Chiari malformation or hydrocephalus
MRI of the whole spine: a tethered cord or other causes lower down
Contrast MRI: a tumor or inflammation
Cine (flow) MRI: where the spinal fluid stops moving
Nerve tests (EMG): carpal tunnel syndrome or motor neuron disease

If MRI is not possible, a CT scan with dye (CT myelogram) can help.

Conditions That Can Look Like Syringomyelia

Numb or weak hands have many causes. Lost heat and pain feeling with normal touch, however, points to a syrinx.

Condition	Looks similar because	What sets it apart
Cervical myelopathy	Clumsy, weak hands	Heat and cold feeling usually stays; reflexes get brisker
Carpal tunnel syndrome	A numb hand and thin thumb muscles	Limited to one nerve's area in the hand
Motor neuron disease (ALS)	Muscle wasting and weakness	No loss of feeling; muscle twitching stands out
Multiple sclerosis	Numbness, weakness and poor balance	Typical patches on a brain MRI
Spinal cord tumor	Slowly growing nerve problems	A mass that lights up on contrast MRI
Herniated disc in the neck	Pain that spreads into the arm	Pain leads; no cape-like loss of feeling

See also our guides to cervical myelopathy and a herniated disc in the neck.

If I have a syrinx, do I have syringomyelia?

Usually, yes: a syrinx in the spinal cord is what doctors call syringomyelia. However, a slight widening of the central canal can be a minor finding. So its size, its cause and your symptoms decide what it means.

Decide with confidence

Does Every Syrinx Need Surgery?

No. A small syrinx without symptoms often needs only check-ups and repeat MRI scans. Surgery then becomes an option when symptoms appear, worsen or the syrinx grows.

Regular checks often suit you if:

The syrinx is small and causes no symptoms
Your neurological exam is normal
Follow-up MRI scans show no growth
The cause behind it does not progress

Surgery is worth discussing if:

Numbness, pain or weakness limits your daily life
Symptoms get worse over months
The syrinx grows on MRI
A treatable cause shows, such as Chiari or a tumor

During regular checks, Prof. Albayrak usually repeats the MRI more often in the first year. Then, a yearly scan often suffices. If a new symptom appears, he reviews the plan straight away.

Syringomyelia Treatment Options Compared

Option	Who it suits	What it involves	Points to weigh
Regular MRI checks	A small syrinx, no symptoms and a normal exam	Check-ups and MRI, more often in the first year	Avoid heavy lifting and straining
Symptom care	Nerve pain, stiffness or weak hands	Medicines for nerve pain, physiotherapy and occupational therapy	Eases symptoms but cannot drain the syrinx
Posterior fossa decompression	A syrinx with a Chiari malformation	Bone removal at the skull base, often with a dura patch	The syrinx often shrinks over months
Tumor removal	A syrinx from a spinal cord tumor	Microsurgery to remove the tumor	The syrinx usually shrinks afterwards
Release of scar tissue or a tethered cord	Arachnoiditis, an old injury or a tethered cord	Freeing the cord under the microscope	Scar tissue can return
Syrinx shunt	No treatable cause, or a syrinx that keeps growing	A thin tube that drains the syrinx	A last resort; tubes can block or move

Hydrocephalus, extra fluid in the brain, sometimes comes with a syrinx. It usually needs treatment first; see hydrocephalus treatment for shunts and ETV.

Can syringomyelia be treated without surgery?

Partly: a small, stable syrinx often needs only regular MRI checks. Medicines and physiotherapy also ease pain and stiffness. However, no medicine can drain a syrinx or remove its cause.

Surgery

Syringomyelia Surgery: Treating the Cause

Syringomyelia surgery aims to restore the free flow of spinal fluid. So the operation targets the cause, and draining the syrinx itself comes last. Prof. Albayrak also operates under the microscope, with nerve monitoring throughout.

Decompression for Chiari-Related Syringomyelia

With a Chiari malformation, for example, the surgeon widens the space at the skull base. First, he removes a small piece of bone there. Often, he also removes the back of C1, the first neck vertebra.

If flow still looks poor, he then opens the dura and sews in a patch. Once the flow returns, the syrinx often shrinks over the following months. Our guide to Chiari decompression surgery explains each step.

Removing a Tumor or Releasing Scar Tissue

If a tumor causes the syrinx, Prof. Albayrak removes it with microsurgery. The syrinx then usually shrinks without a separate drain.

After an injury or infection, scar bands can trap the cord. Under the microscope, he frees these bands so that fluid can move again. Scar tissue can return, however, and some people need a second operation.

Finally, in a tethered cord, he cuts the tissue that holds the cord down. This relieves the stretch and helps stop symptoms from progressing.

When a Syrinx Shunt Makes Sense

A syrinx shunt is a thin tube that drains the fluid elsewhere. The tube usually leads to the space around the cord or to the abdomen. According to NINDS, draining can also halt the progression and relieve headaches.

However, tubes can block, move or cause new scarring over the years. So Prof. Albayrak keeps a shunt for cases where treating the cause cannot work.

What if the syrinx stays after Chiari decompression?

First, give it time, because a syrinx often shrinks slowly over months. If it stays large or grows, however, a flow MRI checks the area again. A second operation or a shunt can then follow, as NINDS notes.

Risks

What Are the Risks of Syringomyelia Surgery?

Every operation near the spinal cord carries real risks. Most serious problems are uncommon, but you should know them before you decide.

Possible problems include:

A spinal fluid leak, which often closes by itself
Headache, fever and a stiff neck from sterile inflammation (aseptic meningitis)
Meningitis, a rare infection that needs antibiotics
Fluid or swelling under the wound
New numbness or weakness
A blocked or displaced tube, in people with a shunt
A syrinx that grows back, sometimes with a second operation

To lower these risks, Prof. Albayrak works under the microscope with nerve monitoring. In addition, regular MRI scans catch a returning syrinx early.

Is syrinx surgery dangerous?

It carries the risks of any spinal cord operation, but serious problems are uncommon. The main aim is to stop the damage from progressing. So weigh your own risks and benefits with your surgeon.

Recovery

Recovery and Follow-Up After Syringomyelia Surgery

Most people walk within a few days and go home within about a week. The syrinx, however, shrinks slowly, and nerves recover over months.

A Typical Timeline

When	What usually happens	What to watch
Days 1-3	Standing up and short walks	Headache or neck stiffness may increase for a while
Week 1	Discharge and rest	Swelling at the wound can mean trapped fluid
Weeks 2-6	Gradual return to daily tasks	No heavy lifting or straining
Month 3	First follow-up MRI	Shows whether the syrinx shrinks
Months 6-12	Nerve recovery continues	Pain and numbness often improve last
Every year	Long-term MRI checks	Catch any regrowth early

Scans and symptoms do not always improve together. For example, a syrinx may shrink while numbness stays, as long-pressed nerves heal poorly.

Yet NINDS notes that symptoms can improve even when the syrinx shrinks only slightly. So the main aim is to stop the damage. Earlier treatment, before weakness advances, also tends to give better results.

Living With Syringomyelia

Simple habits protect numb skin and help limit symptoms:

Check bath and dish water with a thermometer, not your hand
Look at your hands every day for burns and cuts
Avoid heavy lifting, hard straining and neck manipulation
Prevent constipation, since straining raises the pressure
Choose swimming and walking over contact or high-impact sports

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy also help with strength, stiffness and daily tasks, MedlinePlus notes.

How long is recovery after syringomyelia surgery?

Most people go home within about a week. Daily tasks usually resume within six weeks, but nerve recovery continues for 6-12 months. The first MRI follows at about three months.

What is the success rate of syringomyelia surgery?

No single figure applies, because results depend on the cause. MedlinePlus states that surgery usually stops the condition from getting worse. It also says nerve function improves in up to 90% of people, depending on type.

International patients

Coming to Istanbul from the US, Canada, the UK or Europe

Syringomyelia surgery needs a calm recovery and a safe flight home. So plan the trip around your operation, and keep the return date flexible.

How Long to Stay in Istanbul

First, add up the consultation, the tests, the operation and the hospital stay. Then rest near the hospital until your check-up. Overall, many plans come to about two weeks in Istanbul.

When You Can Fly Home

After a skull base decompression, UK aviation guidance advises about 7 days before flying. Air left inside the skull can expand at altitude.

For operations on the spine itself, the CAA gives no separate figure. The US CDC, however, warns that flying after surgery raises the risk of blood clots. So your surgeon sets the date after a check-up.

Follow-Up at Home

First, ask for your discharge summary and copies of your scans before you leave. Then book your 3-month MRI and a visit with your local doctor.

UK drivers must stop driving after a Chiari decompression, according to the DVLA. However, they can drive again once a doctor confirms no lasting problem affects driving. Elsewhere, rules differ, so ask your doctor.

For insurance and Medicare, see brain surgery in Turkey: planning from the US. For NHS rules and travel insurance, see planning from the UK. From Canada, check with your provincial health plan and private insurer before you book.

Your treatment in Istanbul

From Your First Message to Flying Home

Your treatment in Istanbul follows four clear steps. Each step then answers one practical question.

01 Request
02 Consultation
03 Surgery
04 Recovery

STEP 01

Request an appointment

Use the form on this page, WhatsApp or call +90 532 308 97 72. A short message is enough: your diagnosis, your country and your travel dates.

You can write in English or Turkish, so use whichever feels easier. The team then agrees the consultation date with you.

STEP 02

Consultation and tests in Istanbul

First, Prof. Albayrak examines you at his clinic in Teşvikiye. Next, he goes through your MRI scans with you. If needed, newer scans can follow in Istanbul.

He then explains whether checks or surgery suit you, and which operation fits the cause. Questions worth asking include:

Has the cause of my syrinx shown on the scans?
Which operation do you plan, and why?
How much improvement can I realistically expect?

What should I bring to my syringomyelia consultation?

First, bring your MRI scans on a disc or USB drive, with the written reports. Also bring notes on any spinal injury, infection or earlier surgery. A list of your medicines helps, too.

STEP 03

Surgery and hospital stay

If you choose surgery, the operation takes place in a hospital in Istanbul. Prof. Albayrak names the hospital at the consultation, along with the likely stay.

STEP 04

Recovery, fitness to fly and follow-up

After discharge, you rest at a nearby hotel, ideally with a companion. Then, before the flight, your surgeon checks the wound and confirms that you can fly.

Back home, get urgent help for any of these signs:

A severe headache, or a stiff neck with fever
Clear fluid leaking from the wound, or a swelling under it
Redness, warmth or discharge at the wound
New weakness, numbness, or trouble with the bladder, swallowing or breathing

Can I have my follow-up MRI at home?

Yes, usually with your local doctor. Take your Istanbul scans and discharge summary along. Your doctor can then compare the new MRI.

Your surgeon

Your Syringomyelia Surgeon in Istanbul

Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak

Neurosurgeon · Full Professor of Neurosurgery

A syrinx thins the spinal cord, so surgery around it leaves little room for error. For this reason, Prof. Albayrak operates under the microscope and monitors the nerve signals throughout.

He completed his neurosurgery training at Istanbul University in 2004. He then took clinical fellowships at the University of Helsinki and Harvard Medical School. At Harvard, he trained at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

27+Years

5,000+Operations

64Countries

33Publications

Figures from Prof. Albayrak's professional profile, September 2026. See his full publication list.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is syringomyelia life-threatening?

Usually not directly. Without treatment, however, it can slowly cause severe disability, according to MedlinePlus. A syrinx in the brainstem can also affect swallowing and breathing, which needs urgent care.

Can syringomyelia go away on its own?

A syrinx rarely disappears by itself. Many small ones, however, stay the same size for years. So regular MRI checks show whether yours needs treatment.

Can I get pregnant with syringomyelia?

Many people with a syrinx have a normal pregnancy. Pushing during labor, however, raises the pressure in the spinal fluid. So plan the delivery and anesthesia early with your obstetric team and your neurosurgeon.

How much does syringomyelia surgery cost in Turkey?

The cost depends on the operation, the hospital stay and the tests you need. A patch, a shunt and your hotel stay also count. So ask for the cost of your own plan at the consultation, before you decide.

Prof. Albayrak's Published Research

None of Prof. Albayrak's papers focuses on syringomyelia itself. The closest, however, cover a tethered cord, a cord tumor and the spinal fluid space. Each link opens the record on PubMed; his profile lists all 33 publications.

Tethered cord syndrome in childhood: special emphasis on the surgical technique and review of the literature with our experienceTurkish Neurosurgery, 2011 · Co-author
Cervical leptomeningeal and intramedullary metastasis of a cerebral PNET in an adultJournal of Neuro-Oncology, 2005 · Co-author
Revisiting a historical phenomenon: Myodil droplets in the subarachnoid spaceNeurology India, 2018 · Co-author

Public health information

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Syringomyelia.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Arachnoiditis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome.
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, US National Library of Medicine. Syringomyelia.
NHS. Chiari malformation.
UK Civil Aviation Authority. Surgical conditions: guidance for health professionals.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medical tourism.
GOV.UK, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Neurological disorders: assessing fitness to drive.

This guide gives general medical information and does not replace a consultation. So diagnosis and treatment decisions need an examination by your own doctor.

Last updated: 1 October 2026. Website editor: Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak's clinic, [email protected].

Plan Your Syringomyelia Consultation in Istanbul

Request an appointment with Prof. Dr. Serdar Baki Albayrak. The team then helps you plan the dates of your visit.