Increased Detection Rate of Syringomyelia by Whole Spine Sagittal Magnetic Resonance Images: Based on the Data from Military Conscription of Korean Young Males

Abstract

Syringomyelia is a fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord or brain stem (1-3). Predisposing factors include craniocervical junction abnormalities, spinal cord trauma, and spinal cord tumors (4, 5). Symptoms include flaccid weakness of the hands and arms and deficits in pain and temperature sensation in a capelike distribution over the back and neck; light touch and position sensation as well as vibration sensation are not affected (1, 6). Diagnosis is by magnetic resolution (MR) image. The estimated prevalence of the disease is roughly 8.4 cases per 100000 people in the United States, and no international geographic difference in the prevalence of syringomyelia is known (7). However, in the Korean conscription, the increasing tendency of syringomyelia detection was observed. So, the authors reviewed the change of syringomyelia detection rate during last 4 years, and reviewed the reason regarding the change in prevalence among males in the conscription for Korean military. Furthermore, the clinical character of syringomyelia in Korean young male was also reviewed. Original Article