Cauda equina syndrome due to posttraumatic syringomyelia in conus medullaris – A case report

Abstract

Most posttraumatic syringomyelias occur in the cervical or thoracic spinal cord, where they contribute to myelopathic deficits. Here, a 40-year-old patient presented with the left leg monoparesis due to syringomyelia involving the conus medullaris 10 years after an L2 vertebral “crush” fracture. Ten years following an L2 vertebral “crush” fracture, a 40-year-old male presented with the new onset of left lower leg paresis. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a T12–L1 syrinx associated with accompanying high-intensity areas above the syrinx located between the T11 and T12 levels. One month after placing a syringosubarachnoid (SS) shunt, both the syrinx and high-intensity area rapidly disappeared, and the left distal motor weakness resolved. Ten years following an L2 “crush” fracture, a 40-year-old male presented with the new onset of a cauda equina syndrome secondary to a posttraumatic T12–L1 syringomyelia causing expansion of the conus medullaris.