Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a complete physical examination. In some cases, syringomyelia might be discovered incidentally during a spine MRI or CT scan conducted for other reasons.

If your doctor suspects syringomyelia, you'll likely undergo tests such as:

• MRI. An MRI of your spine and spinal cord is the most reliable tool for diagnosing syringomyelia.

  An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of your spine and spinal cord. If a syrinx has developed within your spinal cord, your doctor will be able to view it on the MRI.

  In some cases, a specialist will inject a dye into a blood vessel in your groin, which travels through blood vessels to your spine and reveals tumors or other abnormalities.

  You might have repeated MRI scans over time to monitor the progression of syringomyelia.

• CT scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of your spine and spinal cord. It can reveal tumors or other spine conditions.