Syringobulbia
Syringobulbia Definition
Syringobulbia is a neurological disorder marked by a fluid-filled cavity (syrinx) within the spinal cord that extends to involve the brainstem (medulla). It typically occurs as a slit-like gap within the lower brainstem that may affect one or more of the cranial nerves, causing facial palsies of various kinds. Additionally, sensory and motor nerve pathways may be affected by compression and/or interruption. This disorder is closely associated with syringomyelia, in which the syrinx is limited to the spinal cord, and to the Chiari I malformation.
Syringobulbia Symptoms and Signs
Some symptoms include vocal chord paralysis, tongue atrophy, tongue fibrillation, speaking difficulty, and vertigo.