Syringostomy using myringostomy tube: technical note.

Abstract

We describe the concept of a new syringostomy technique. The technique includes the insertion of a myringostomy tube through a small myelotomy at the level of maximum enlargement of the syrinx. The inner diameter of the myringostomy tube is 1.14 mm. This technique reduces the potential risks that are associated with other techniques that use bulky silastic catheters that are left inside the spinal cord. We think that this technique is the least invasive of all similar techniques and that, in terms of drainage, the myringostomy tube is as efficient as commonly used silastic catheters.