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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDSpinal cord series and cases

Spontaneous regression of post-traumatic syringomyelia: longitudinal mr imaging demonstrating a dynamic disease course.

  • Carlos Dier1,2,3
  • Charif Sidani1,2
  • Kevin J Abrams1,2
  • Leonardo Furtado Freitas4,5,6
6 affiliations
  1. 1Division of Clinical Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
  2. 2Division of Clinical Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Baptist Health South Florida, 8900 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL, 33176, USA.
  3. 3Department of Internal Medicine, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
  4. 4Division of Clinical Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL, 33199, USA. [email protected].
  5. 5Division of Clinical Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Baptist Health South Florida, 8900 N Kendall Dr, Miami, FL, 33176, USA. [email protected].
  6. 6Radiology Partners Research Institute (RPRI), Miami, USA. [email protected].
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Abstract

Introduction

Posttraumatic syringomyelia is a recognized complication of spinal cord injury, often associated with progressive neurologic decline and surgical management. Its natural history remains incompletely understood, and spontaneous resolution is rare.Case presentation

We performed a literature review identifying six previously reported cases of spontaneous radiologic resolution of posttraumatic syringomyelia and report a 69-year-old patient with posttraumatic cervicothoracic syringomyelia showing a dynamic course characterized by initial mild enlargement followed by spontaneous radiologic resolution over 13 years of follow-up. Initial MR imaging in 2013 demonstrated a focal expansile syrinx at C7-T1 without enhancement, cerebrospinal fluid flow obstruction, or Chiari malformation. At presentation, the patient reported occipital headaches, dizziness, and subjective upper extremity weakness. Serial MR imaging demonstrated mild interval enlargement in 2019, followed by progressive decrease in 2022 and 2024, and near-complete resolution in 2026, with a residual slit-like cavity and focal cord thinning. Neurologic examinations remained normal throughout follow-up, and symptoms resolved.Discussion

This case demonstrates a dynamic course of posttraumatic syringomyelia with spontaneous radiologic resolution and clinical stability in the absence of surgical intervention. These findings suggest that a subset of patients may follow a benign or reversible course, supporting close clinical and imaging follow-up in selected cases.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{dier2026spontaneous,
  title = {{Spontaneous regression of post-traumatic syringomyelia: longitudinal mr imaging demonstrating a dynamic disease course.}},
  author = {Carlos Dier and Charif Sidani and Kevin J Abrams and Leonardo Furtado Freitas},
  journal = {Spinal cord series and cases},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1038/s41394-026-00758-w},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42919900},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Spontaneous regression of post-traumatic syringomyelia: longitudinal mr imaging demonstrating a dynamic disease course.
AU  - Carlos Dier
AU  - Charif Sidani
AU  - Kevin J Abrams
AU  - Leonardo Furtado Freitas
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/23
JO  - Spinal cord series and cases
DO  - 10.1038/s41394-026-00758-w
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42919900
AB  - Introduction  Posttraumatic syringomyelia is a recognized complication of spinal cord injury, often associated with progressive neurologic decline and surgical management. Its natural history remains incompletely understood, and spontaneous resolution is rare.Case presentation  We performed a literature review identifying six previously reported cases of spontaneous radiologic resolution of posttraumatic syringomyelia and report a 69-year-old patient with posttraumatic cervicothoracic syringomyelia showing a dynamic course characterized by initial mild enlargement followed by spontaneous radiologic resolution over 13 years of follow-up. Initial MR imaging in 2013 demonstrated a focal expansile syrinx at C7-T1 without enhancement, cerebrospinal fluid flow obstruction, or Chiari malformation. At presentation, the patient reported occipital headaches, dizziness, and subjective upper extremity weakness. Serial MR imaging demonstrated mild interval enlargement in 2019, followed by progressive decrease in 2022 and 2024, and near-complete resolution in 2026, with a residual slit-like cavity and focal cord thinning. Neurologic examinations remained normal throughout follow-up, and symptoms resolved.Discussion  This case demonstrates a dynamic course of posttraumatic syringomyelia with spontaneous radiologic resolution and clinical stability in the absence of surgical intervention. These findings suggest that a subset of patients may follow a benign or reversible course, supporting close clinical and imaging follow-up in selected cases.
SN  - 2058-6124
ER  -