Does Brachycephaly Increase The Risk Of Syringomyelia?

A literature review by 17-year-old Caitlin Haigh (Click here for full review)

The Basic Idea:

When the skull is shortened or crowded (“brachycephaly”), there may be less room for the brain + cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Less space = altered pressure + disrupted fluid flow.

Why That Matters:

The study explains that disrupted CSF flow is one of the biggest drivers behind syringomyelia formation.

Blocked flow → pressure changes → fluid forced into spinal cord tissue → syrinx formation.

Key Connection:

Research in brachycephalic dog breeds found:

• more skull overcrowding

• more CSF disruption

• increased rates of Chiari-like malformations + syringomyelia

The more overcrowding present, the worse the syrinx tended to be.

Bigger Takeaway:

The paper questions whether some “idiopathic” syringomyelia cases may actually have overlooked structural or genetic contributors.

Meaning:

Maybe we haven’t found the real root cause yet.

Conclusion:

Brachycephaly may not be “just cosmetic.”

Structural crowding could fundamentally change brain pressure dynamics and contribute to serious neurological conditions like syringomyelia.

**A special thanks to 17 year old Caitlin Haigh, who is diagnosed with syringomyelia and did something that individuals in our community have often had to do — personal research and advocacy. She took it to the next level and presented us with this amazing review — showing that you don’t have to have a professional degree to understand the possible root causes and severity of a complex disease.**