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Syringomyelia 2025

 

Black and white outline drawing of the Liverpool skyline with the words Syringomyelia 2025 underneath

Date:  2 July to 4 July 2025  

Summary: A three-day interactive conference covering the care of patients with Chiari malformations, syringomyelia, and the neurosurgical conditions associated with Ehlers Danlos. Each day will consist of different themes and topics. Sessions include pathophysiology, management of complex and recurrent conditions, a debate about the role of craniocervical fixation in EDS, ICP monitoring in Chiari patients, research priorities, pain management, and MDT discussions.

Please join us for what promises to be an engaging, thought-provoking and educational meeting.

Conference highlights

·         Wednesday 2 July - EDS and associated conditions.  Debate craniocervical fixation in EDS patients, scientific sessions and invited speakers on spontaneous csf leaks, tethered cord, medical and physio management of EDS, functional neurological disorders, research priorities, and the role of social media.

·         Thursday 3 July - Syringomyelia . Syringomyelia pathogenesis, complex syringomyelia surgery, post traumatic and arachnoiditic syringomyelia, Pathophysiology and pain management of syrinx pain.  Surgical tips and pearls, shunts.  Research directions. 

·         Thursday 3 July - AHP day . Talks on rehabilitation, pain management, physiotherapy management, holistic needs. 

·         Friday 4 July - Chiari malformations . Chiari pathogenesis, complex chiari, redo chiari surgery, tips and pearls on chiari surgery, MDT case presentation.

The full programme is now live, please click here

Speakers and topics

EDS  

  • Defining instability and hypermobility on imaging - Mark Radon, Consultant Neuroradiologist, Liverpool
  • Outcomes after spinal fixation in EDS patients - Paolo Bolognese, Consultant Neurosurgeon, New York, USA
  • Functional neurological disorders: A guide for non-specialists - Chrissie Burness, Consultant Neurologist, Liverpool
  • Developing a national MDT — Joshi George, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Manchester
  • The highs and lows of treating EDS patients: A surgical perspective - Jake Timothy, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Leeds
  • Craniocervical instability: Complexities and management pearls — Dr Ann McCarthy, Clinical Specialist Hypermobility and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, London
  • Coping with illness, headache and pain — Dr Jennifer Gabriel, Specialist Clinical Psychologist, Liverpool.  
  • The role of social media — Susan Booth, Chief Executive, Ehlers Danlos Support UK
  • The role of C1/C2 fusion in treatment of patients with Chiari I malformation and/or basilar invagination — Jorg Klekamp, Professor of Neurosurgery. Germany.

Chiari 

  • Pathogenesis of chiari malformations - John Heiss, Professor of Neurosurgery, NIH, USA
  • New insights into Chiari and syringomyelia mechanisms from real time CSF flow imaging and posterior fossa morphology — Lynne Bilston, Professor, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Biomechanical Engineer, Sydney
  • Modelling of the posterior fossa in Chiari patients, and implications for treatment — Sarah Vandenbulcke, Biomedical Engineer, Ghent University, Belgium
  • ICP monitoring in Chari malformations and implications for pathogenesis and treatment — Radek Fric, Professor of Neurosurgery, Oslo
  • Obstetric anaesthetic recommendations in patients with Chiari malformations and syringomyelia - Yavor Metodiev, Consultant Anaesthetist, Cardiff
  • Outcomes for patients with Chiari malformations treated without surgery - Rory Piper, Clinical Lecturer in Neurosurgery, London.
  • The nurse specialist role: just a nurse? — Sara Kewin, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Liverpool
  • The role of social media — Jezz Wright, Trustee, Ann Conroy Trust UK

Syringomyelia

  • Past, present and future of syringomyelia management - Graham Flint, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Birmingham
  • Pathophysiology and management of central neuropathic pain in syringomyelia patients - Bernhard Frank, Associate professor and Consultant in pain medicine, Liverpool
  • Pathophysiology of post-traumatic syringomyelia and implications for treatment - Fenzeng Jian, Professor of Neurosurgery, Beijing
  • Pathogenesis of syringomyelia - Marcus Stoodley, Professor of Neurosurgery, Sydney

Abstracts

The abstract centre is now closed.

Where

The Lecture Theatre, Second floor, Sid Watkins Building, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L9 7LJ

 

Registration Costs

 

Full Conference

(Early bird rate - Before 1 May)

Full Conference

(Standard rate - After 2 May)

Day Rate (limited numbers)

Conference Dinner

Individual (Medical)

£350

£450

£200

£50

Student / AHP / Trainee / Nurse

£150

£200

£75

£25

Industry / other

£350

£450

£200

£50

 

Registration includes a welcome/networking event on the Wednesday night.

A conference dinner on Thursday will be held in the city centre (London Carriage Works, 40 Hope Street, Liverpool). This private, fifth floor room has excellent balcony views across Liverpool. There is an additional £25/£50 charge.

There is also a presenter dinner on Wednesday 2 July at Gino's, Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9LQ.

Registration 

https://forms.gle/1oMntBK5vT764pSXA

Accommodation

https://liverpoolcvbres.bzon.uk/event/syringomyelia-2025/

Bus transport from city centre accommodation (Hope St Hotel and Holiday Inn) to the conference venue will be provided each day.

For administrative queries, please contact  donna.brennan5@nhs.net  or  lynne.dew@nhs.net