Syringomyelia Pediatric syringomyelia is formed when the sphincter remains open or partially open due to incomplete occlusion of the sphincter. Because of the small diameter of the sphincter, the intestinal canal cannot pass through, allowing only abdominal fluid to flow through the sphincter and accumulate in the sphincter cavity. In female fetuses, the sphincter is called Nück’s canal, and if fluid accumulation occurs, it is called a cyst. Clinical manifestations Sphingomyelomeningocele usually has no systemic symptoms and only localized masses, which vary in size, grow slowly and do not cause pain. Larger masses may have a feeling of swelling. The masses of syringomyelia often appear filled and swollen with high tension after walking activities during the day; they may be slightly shriveled in the morning when they wake up. Syringomyelia in newborns may occur unilaterally or bilaterally. If the syringomyelia occludes itself during development, the syringomyelia gradually disappears. Diagnosis The diagnosis is made by a cystic mass in the scrotum or groin on the side of the syringomyelia and a positive transillumination test of the mass. In some cases, the mass can be reduced in tension after repeated squeezing, but there is no significant volume reduction, or it can provide a clear history of being larger at night and smaller in the morning, which can be considered as a traffic sphingomyelomeningocele. If the mass is confined to the spermatic cord area, it is usually small and ovoid in size, and the testis can be clearly visualized underneath the mass. The mass may move when the testicle is pulled, and this is a spermatic cord syringomyelia. In testicular syringomyelia, the mass is located at the base of the scrotum and is oval or cylindrical in shape, and the testicle cannot be palpated when tension is high. Treatment Syringomyelia is not large and the tension is not high, so there is no urgency for surgical treatment, especially in infants under 1 year of age, and there is still a chance that it will subside on its own. If the tension is high, it may affect the blood supply to the testis and produce testicular atrophy.