Thought of ‘office workers’, who expected to ’embrace’ a rare disease for many years

Ms. VTH (41 years old) suffers from Syringomyelia disease, also known as hollow marrow disease. This is a rare type of chronic neuropathy in the spinal cord, incidence 8.4 / 100 000 people. The special thing is that the disease has no characteristic manifestations, the initial signs are just pain in the neck, shoulder and neck, numbness of the hands, so many patients are easy to confuse and ignore.

The rare disease ‘lurks’ through pain in the neck and neck pain

Ms. H. was admitted to the hospital for examination in the condition of pain in the neck and neck area, right shoulder pain, and numbness increased for nearly 2 months. The pain symptoms are not related to movement, still pain, feeling heavy and reduce the strength of the right hand muscle during work. Symptoms do not improve with rest, massage, acupressure, or warm compresses.

Doctor Vu Hai Yen – Neuroscientist Specialist at Thu Cuc General Clinic – 32 Dai Tu, Hoang Mai, Hanoi, under Thu Cuc Medical System) said that Mrs. H. had a healthy history. family and 2 children, who are office workers and travel regularly by motorbike. or degenerative cervical vertebrae, a common disease in office workers. But the special thing is that through the examination, patient H. does not recognize heat and cold in his right hand, does not know pain even though his right arm is cut, his left arm is still normal. In addition, the tendon reflexes in the patient’s right arm are also reduced, even without reflexes. In the presence of these suspicious signs, I have assigned the patient to have a MRI of the spine and spinal cord to assess the condition of the injury and to rule out other related diseases..- Dr. Hai Yen said.

Magnetic resonance imaging MRI is considered “the gold standard” in the diagnosis of diseases of the brain, eye socket, spine, neck area, pelvic abdomen, musculoskeletal area, mammary gland … (illustration)

Diagnostic radiologist Nguyen Chi Phon – Thu Cuc General Clinic said: “In Ms. H.’s case, it was MRI of the spine and spinal cord with an injection of magnetic antagonist to detect nerve damage. This is the most reliable tool to diagnose hollow spinal disease. For those who suspect that the patient has a hollow spinal cord, if only X-ray or computerized CT scan is indicated, it will be difficult to accurately assess ”.

The image obtained from the MRI of Mrs. H.’s spinal cord MRI shows that in her spinal cord a hollow of fluid is formed, which accumulates to form cavities and cavities, this is a manifestation of the root. hollow marrow disease. Immediately after the results of the subclinical examination, Thu Cuc’s doctors consulted to determine the cause of the disease and find the best treatment for Ms. H.

Early detection is an important “key” to protect health even in rare cases

According to chiropractors, osteomyelitis is caused in the spinal cord forming a hollow in the center of the gray matter containing cerebrospinal fluid. Cerebrospinal fluid accumulates to form cavities or cavities that grow and cause damage to the marrow, pinching nerves, making the disease manifest as movement disorders, sensory and nutritional disorders. The disease is often discovered by chance when examining related diseases or when having symptoms such as neck and neck pain, numbness of the hands, loss of feeling of muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, loss of tendon reflexes, loss of sensation. pain or heat, especially in the hands.

It is known that syringomyelia is an uncommon chronic disease in the spinal cord with the incidence of 8.4 / 100 000 and is common in the age of 20-50 years old .. The disease can be found in the neck, chest. and lumbar, however, the most common prevalence lies in the border between the cervical and thoracic marrow.

There are many causes of myelosuppression, including some idiopathic cases (the cause cannot be determined). Some have root causes such as: birth defects of the spine; after injury; lumbar spondylitis …

The pulp is empty due to the formation in the cavity containing fluid to gradually develop, causing pressure and damage to the marrow. (illustration)

There are many causes of myelosuppression, including some idiopathic cases (the cause cannot be determined). Some have root causes such as: birth defects of the spine; after injury; lumbar spondylitis …

In Ms. H.’s case, she was idiopathic, so doctors advised that she should visit regularly every 2 months, take MRI every 6 months to evaluate and supplement vitamins of group B, Using some medicines to help relieve the symptoms of fatigue, numbness. It is necessary to limit the work that needs a lot of bending, the jobs that need sophistication in the right hand, especially the right hand. In addition, the patient needs to exercise spinal cord damage rehabilitation exercises. If the severity causes many neurological deficiencies, doctors may have to prescribe surgical intervention to draw fluid in the hollow canal to release a compression of the marrow, stopping the progression of the disease, because the empty marrow is not present. There is a radical treatment.

Currently, Thu Cuc Medical System is equipped with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) systems in all affiliated facilities. This is considered as the “gold standard” to help detect and early detect many diseases in important organs such as the brain, abdomen, spine, joints, … this helps detect many diseases including diseases. difficult and rare cases, from which there is a way to promptly handle and intervene. In addition, the leading team of endocrine specialists in Thu Cuc will directly examine and consult interdisciplinary not to “fall” the disease and advise the best treatment for patients. Contact Thu Cuc Health System by phone number 0904.97.0909 to make an appointment.