Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Untreated syringomyelia can expect what type of progression?

1. Rapid progression with severe deficits

2. No progression over time

3. Slow progression with slow accumulation of neurological deficits

4. Immediate critical deficits

The correct answer is: Slow progression with slow accumulation of neurological deficits

Syringomyelia, a condition characterized by the formation of a cyst (syrinx) within the spinal cord, generally exhibits a slow progression over time. Patients often experience gradual neurological deficits, which can include loss of sensation, weakness, or coordination issues as the syrinx expands and affects more spinal cord tissue. This slow progression allows for the accumulation of symptoms as the condition evolves, leading to varying degrees of impairment based on the location and size of the syrinx. This understanding aligns with the clinical presentation of syringomyelia, where individuals might live for years with stable symptoms before noticing more significant changes. It is important to monitor patients closely since the condition can worsen, but the progression is typically not rapid or immediate, distinguishing it from other more acute neurological issues that may present with sudden and severe deficits. Thus, the appropriate characterization of untreated syringomyelia is one of slow progression with a gradual accumulation of neurological deficits.