[Isolated idiopathic syringobulbia: case report and summary of the literature]

Abstract

Syringobulbia is an uncommon lesion of the central nervous system. It is defined as a pathological cavitation of the brain stem. The most common symptoms are headache, vertigo, dysphonia or dysarthria, trigeminal paraesthesia, dysphagia, diplopia, tinnitus, palatal palsy. Syringobulbia occurs with atlantoaxial congenital abnormalities (Chiari malformation), infection, tumours, and other causes. The idiopathic syringobulbia is however a rare finding. Early surgical treatment is the treatment of choice. We report on a 58-year old female patient with idiopathic syringobulbia. She complained of occipital headaches and vertigo. On examination she had horizontal nystagmus and diplopia. Occipital headaches and vertigo were improved after operation. We review the literature on syringobulbia, and discuss the clinical features of this uncommon condition.