Syringomyelia can be treated

My father dedicated his working life to the study of syringomyelia. Early in his career the condition could be diagnosed using a variety of radiological techniques, but this has been made easier by the introduction of magnetic resonance imaging. Initially, there was no satisfactory treatment but, during the course of his work, our understanding of the disease increased greatly, Surgery can now be offered to many patients, which can halt an otherwise inexorable process of pain, paralysis, and paraesthesia. In some cases neurological improvements can occur following operation. For people with this condition the loss of my father, who died …