Investigators have found that as the heart beats, syrinx fluid is forced downward. This finding suggests a role for the cardiovascular system in syringomyelia. Surgical techniques are also being refined by the neurosurgical research community. It is also important to understand the role of birth defects in the development of hindbrain malformations that can lead to syringomyelia. Dietary supplements of folic acid during pregnancy have already been found to reduce the number of cases of certain birth defects.
Diagnostic technology is another area for continued research.
Patients can expect even better techniques to become available in the future from the research efforts of scientists today. Patients with Syringomyelia Sought for Study of Physiology Lay-language descriptions of new program announcements and clinical trials seeking patient volunteers. This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.