What increases my risk for syringomyelia?

In the majority of cases, syringomyelia is caused by a brain disorder called Chiari malformation, in which cerebral tissue sticks into the spinal cord. However, if you have suffered from spinal injuries or a spinal tumor, there is a chance that you will develop syringomyelia. Diseases such as meningitis and tethered spinal cord syndrome, which affects movement of the spinal cord, may also increase the risk for syringomyelia.