Question
QUESTION: My friend is a parapalegic in a wheelchair.  He recently had an MRI to try to determine the reason for pain in his arms and hands.  His spelling is bad but here's what he wrote.  I would like an interpretation if possible.
traumatic upper thoracic spine cord myelomalcia and syrinx extending from t2 to t5
a thoracic spinal cord syrinx is seen extending from the mid t2 to the mid t5 level the widest portion of the ssyrinx is compossed of lultiple locules with septations seen
it measuees maicmalyy ,9 cm ap by 1.2 cm tranverse at the t 3-4 level it is 5.6 cm cramicoualdual lengh
an anterior kyphosis is seen centred at the t3-4 disc level measuring 32 deg
and i have dis culges at t6-7 t7-8 ad t9-10
and at c5-6 and c 6-7 mild broad based posterioor dis bulges  with protusions


ANSWER: In order to make this easier, I'll cover one thing at a time.  The myelomalacia is a softening of the spinal cord.  A syrinx is a tube-shaped cavity inside the spinal cord.  Locules are smaller cavities.  Septations are dividing walls of tissue.  Kyphosis is an abnormal, convex curvature of the spine, with a resultant bulge at the upper back.  The other items are measurements, directions, and locations.

Basically, your friend has a fluid-filled cavity inside his spinal cord in the area of his upper back.  He also has an abnormal curve in the same area.  In addition, he has bulging discs both above and below that same area.

The syrinx and bulging disks can cause the arm and hand pain.  I'm certain that his physician will address these issues with your friend.

Thank you for your question, Rhonda.  I hope my answer has been helpful.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Based on this diagnosis is there anything that can be done to help him?

Answer
Since I am not a physician, my response was not a diagnosis.  I provided an interpretation of the medical terms in the MRI report.

Having said that, there are two courses of action that your friend's physician might suggest.  One method is to use a surgical approach and relieve the pressure on the nerves that is causing the pain.

In some patients, the doctor might choose to drain the syrinx, which can be accomplished using a catheter, drainage tubes, and valves. This system is also known as a shunt. First, the surgeon must locate the syrinx. Then, the shunt is placed into it with the other end draining cerebrospinal fluid into a cavity, usually the abdomen. This type of shunt is called a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and is used in cases involving hydrocephalus. By draining syrinx fluid, a shunt can arrest the progression of symptoms and relieve pain. Without correction, symptoms generally continue.

The decision to use a shunt requires extensive discussion between doctor and patient, as this procedure carries with it the risk of injury to the spinal cord, infection, blockage, or hemorrhage and may not necessarily work for all patients.

Thank you, Rhonda for the follow-up question.  I hope this information helps you and your friend.