Generalized intestinal dysmotility in a patient with syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is a rare degenerative disorder of the spinal cord that cause s progressive neurological dysfunction. Patients with syringomyelia have a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms although there are limited data on the frequency or the severity of these complaints. In this case report we desc ribe a 65-yr-old man with syringomyelia and gastrointestinal dysmotility at multiple levels as documented by esophageal motility study, gastric emptyi ng scan, antroduodenal motility study, and anorectal manometry. The patient 's nausea, recurrent vomiting, and fecal incontinence were treated successf ully with dietary changes, a promotility agent, and a bowel training regime n. This report highlights the need for more objective studies of gastrointe stinal motility in patients with syringomyelia. (Am J Gastroenterol 2001:96 : 1282-1285. (C) 2001 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology).