Syringomyelia

Abstract

This superb monograph, first in a series entitled "Major Problems in Neurology," planned to bring together "important recent advances... arising out of clinical, investigative and fundamental research studies of a multidisciplinary nature." The authors represent a transatlantic collaboration (Canada and England) and have collated their own neurological experiences in the area of syringomyelia with that of their neurosurgical, neuroradiologic, and neuropathologic colleagues. They have painstakingly reviewed the world literature on the subject, as evidenced by the very extensive and definitive bibliography. This text is the first compilation of data concerning syringomyelia since 1902. The authors present a concise, complete survey of historical and modern concepts concerning the problem. Over the past two decades, dynamic concepts have been formulated as to the mechanisms of development of syringomyelia. These have led, in turn, to introduction of new and seemingly effective neurosurgical procedures for its correction, based on establishing drainage of the cystic