The prognosis of spinal cord cavitation is related to the underlying etiology, the degree of neurological impairment, and the location and extent of the cavity. Patients with moderate to severe neurological impairment have a poorer prognosis than those with mild impairment. Central cavities respond poorly to treatment. The natural course of spinal cavitation is not known. Older literature shows that 20% of patients die at a mean age of 47 years. Mortality may be decreasing due to advances in the level of surgery and in the techniques used to care for complications associated with paralysis.