Question
hi this is mike chambers. i have been a quadrepaligic since 1994. i had a M.R.I done and it revealed that i have a cyst on my spine. question is: do you think this could the source of extreme muscle tone in  the stomach girdle, and spasms. the tone is so extreme that i can hardly breathe and can barley consume food because it is hard as a rock! if you can enlighten me i would be very grateful. thanks mike chambers.

Answer
Mike:
I am sorry, it took me a little long to answer. The website was down at some point. Regarding your question:
A cyst in the spine, more accurately, an spinal cord cyst (called syringomyelia) could cause worsening of muscle spasms like the ones you are complaining about. On the other hand, muscle spasms (called spasticity) could be the result of internal reorganization of the spinal cord that can develop after injury even without the presence of a  cyst. In any case, progressive muscle spasms can be alleviated with several medications like valium, baclofen or zanaflex. If they are not effective the possibility of placement of a baclofen pump to infuse the medication directly into the spine is available. Ask your Doctors about the posibilities available to you. Also it is important to have a check-up because sometimes the presence of otherwise asymtomatic infections like bladder infections can cause these spasms to worsen.
Good luck.
FCM