THE PROFILE AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF SYRINGOMYELIA IN NIGERIAN PATIENTS.
Ukachukwu A-E K2, *Shokunbi MT1,2. Tiamiyu LO2, Adeolu AA1,2, Malomo AO1,2.
1Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2Department of Neurological Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Corresponding author:
Professor Matthew T. Shokunbi
Department of Neurological Surgery
University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
E-mail: temitayoshokunbi@yahoo.com, mtshokunbi@com.ui.edu.ng
Sources of grant/support: Nil.
Conflict of Interest: None
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ABSTRACT
Background: Syringomyelia is an often progressive disorder of the spinal cord. There is a dearth of reports in the African population.
Aims and Objectives: This study describes the profile and the outcome of treatment in our population of patients.
Design of the study: A retrospective review of patients surgically treated for syringomyelia over a ten year period.
Setting: Department of Neurological Surgery, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Eight patients were surgically treated for Syringomyelia over the period 2004-2014. We extracted data on their gender, age, aetiology, syrinx location, diagnosis, operative procedure and outcome. Simple statistical analysis was done.
Results: There were five males and three females. The mean age was 31.6(SD15.3) years (median: 32.5 years). The causes of the syrinx were: Chiari malformation (3), intramedullary spinal tumour (2), foramen magnum tumour (1), post-traumatic (1), and iatrogenic chemical arachnoiditis (1). The syrinx location was: cervical region (4), cervicothoracic region (2) and multi-level (2). The operative procedures were posterior fossa decompression (2), sub-occipital craniectomy with laminectomy and tumour excision (2), laminectomy and syringomyelotomy (2), laminectomy and tumour excision (1), and ventriculoperitoneal shunting (1). The duration of follow up was 2 weeks to 35 months. Outcome was satisfactory in six patients. A child who had initial ventriculoperitoneal shunting died at home before definitive surgery, and an adult male died of respiratory insufficiency post operatively.
Conclusion: Syringomyelia is rare in our population. It affects young patients, typically in the cervico-thoracic region. The aetiologies are similar to those from previous reports. The outcome of surgical treatment in our small group of patients is satisfactory.
Key words:Syringomyelia, Nigerians, Treatment
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