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Syrinx: Spinal Cord Disorders: Merck Manual Home Edition |
 | | A syrinx is a fluid-filled cavity that develops in the spinal cord (called a syringomyelia), in the brain stem (called a syringobulbia), or in both. |
 | | In about half of the people who have a syrinx, it is present at birth, and then for poorly understood reasons, it enlarges during the teen or young adult years. |
 | | Syrinxes in the brain stem can produce vertigo, nystagmus (rapid movement of the eyes in one direction followed by a slower drift back to the original position), unusual sensations (such as pins-and-needles) in the face, loss of taste, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and weakness and wasting away (atrophy) of the tongue. |
| www.merck.com /mmhe/au/sec06/ch093/ch093f.html (359 words) |
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