The imaging provided is a T2-weighted sagittal MRI sequence of the cervical spine which shows an intra-spinal fluid-filled cavity and a Chiari type 1 malformation. This intra-spinal cavity is called a syrinx (syringomyelia, syringohydromyelia). Syringomyelia is found in 20–70% of patients with Chiari malformations. Patients with syringomyelia commonly present with a “cape-like” bilateral loss of pain and temperature sensation in the location of the syrinx, often involving the arms and upper chest due to compression of the spinothalamic tract.

Ipsilateral weakness and loss of proprioception and contralateral loss of pain and temperature are seen classically in patients with Brown-Sequard syndrome.