What should I do if I have a pediatric syringomyelia?

  Pediatric syringomyelia is a common pediatric surgical disorder. The onset of syringomyelia can occur at any age, but is common in preschool children. There are usually no systemic symptoms, and most of them are found by family members as inguinal or scrotal masses on one side or localized masses on both sides, which grow slowly and do not cause pain. When the lumps are larger, there may be a feeling of swelling. Because the sphincter is relatively small, the fluid flowing into the unclosed sphincter cavity does not easily back up into the abdominal cavity, so there is no significant size change in the mass. If the opening of the unclosed sphincter is thicker, the mass can be seen to shrink in the morning after lying down overnight.  The diagnosis is made by clinical examination of a well-defined cystic mass in the lateral groin or scrotum, without an obvious stalk attached to the abdominal cavity, and a positive transillumination test. Depending on the location, there are two types of syringomyelia: spermatic syringomyelia and testicular syringomyelia.  If the syringomyelia is not large and the tension is not high, there is no need to treat it urgently within 1 year of age because it has a chance to subside on its own. If the mass is large and the tension is high, compression of the spermatic cord and testicles should be treated with surgery for syringomyelia. The purpose of surgery is to prevent the testicles from atrophy due to impaired blood circulation caused by the compression of the spermatic cord.  This is a minor surgery, and if the syringomyelia surgery goes well, the child can be discharged in a week.