BACKGROUND: Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) is a rare congenital brain malformation characterized by underdevelopment of cerebellar vermis and cystic enlargement of the fourth ventricle and enlargement of the posterior fossa. The cooccurrence of DWS and syringomyelia in adults is very rare.
METHODS: We report a man aged 19 years who presented with a 2-year history of tremor. Magnetic resonance imaging showed cystic dilation of the fourth ventricle, hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, and syringomyelia. Posterior fossa decompression and spinal cord ostomy were performed. Tremor was markedly improved and the fourth ventricular and the syringomyelia were reduced in size postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS: Tremor can be a clinical manifestation in patients of DWS concomitant with syringomyelia in adults. Spinal cord ostomy combined with posterior fossa decompression may be an effective approach for alleviation of symptoms and syringomyelia.