Altered subarachnoid space compliance and fluid flow in an animal model of posttraumatic syringomyelia.

Study Design: A histologic study of cerebrospinal fluid tracers in Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing lumboperitoneal shunt insertion in the excitotoxic animal model of posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS).

Objectives: To determine the effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion from the subarachnoid space on perivascular flow (PVS) and syrinx formation in posttraumatic syringomyelia.

Summary Of Background Data: In an animal model of PTS, fluid enters syringes from the subarachnoid space via perivascular spaces.

Fluid flow in an animal model of post-traumatic syringomyelia.

More than a quarter of patients with spinal cord injury develop syringomyelia, often with progressive neurological deficit. Treatment options remain limited and long-term failure rates are high. The current poor understanding is impeding development of improved therapies.