NIH Clinical Research Studies

Protocol Number: 92-N-0226

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

Title:
Establishing the Physiology of Syringomyelia
Number:
92-N-0226
Summary:
The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF flows through channels in the brain and around the spinal cord. Occasionally, people are born with malformations of these channels. Syringomyelia is a pocket within the CSF channels that results from abnormal CSF flow. Syringomyelia is associated with problems in the nervous system. Patients with syringomyelia may be unable to detect sensations of pain and heat. If the condition is not treated it can worsen.

Treatment of this condition is surgical. It requires that the flow of CSF is returns to normal. There are many different treatment options, but no one procedure has been shown to be significantly better than any other.

In this study, researchers would like to learn more about how the CSF pressure and flow contribute to the progression of syringomyelia. Ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be used to evaluate the anatomy of the brain. Researchers hope that information gathered about anatomy and measures of CSF pressure and flow can be used later to develop an optimal surgical treatment for syringomyelia.

Sponsoring Institute:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Active Accrual Of New Subjects
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: Yes
Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:
INCLUSION CRITERIA:

To be eligible to participate in this research study, the subject must:

Be 18 years of age or older.

Have syringomyelia.

Have a lesion that narrows the space for spinal fluid at the base of the skull or neck. Prior surgery for syringomyelia does not result in exclusion from the study if there is radiographic evidence of a syrinx and there is evidence of neurological deterioration related to the syrinx.

Be able to give informed consent.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

The subject will not be eligible to participate in this research study if the subject:

Is pregnant (because X-rays might injure a fetus).

Cannot have an MRI scan as determined by the radiologist.

Has a problem with bleeding that cannot be corrected.

Is unable to understand the risks of the testing and surgical therapy.

Has a blood test for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) that is positive, because a positive HIV test would increase the risk of infection from research testing.

Special Instructions: Currently Not Provided
Keywords:
Syringomyelia
Chiari Malformation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Intraoperative Ultrasonography
Hydrocephalus
Spinal Cord
Ventriculostomy
Lumbar Puncture
Pressure Measurement
Recruitment Keywords:
None
Conditions:
Arnold Chiari Deformity
Hydrocephalus
Syringomyelia
Investigational Drug(s):
None
Investigational Device(s):
None

Contacts:
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citations:
Syringomyelia and its surgical treatment--an analysis of 75 patients

Pathophysiology of syringomyelia associated with Chiari I malformation of the cerebellar tonsils--Implications for diagnosis and treatment

MR phase imaging and cerebrospinal fluid flow in the head and spine

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

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