This teenager had been followed for many years with an untreated syrinx until she appeared at her annual clinic visit with a withered hand. Treatment of the syrinx did not restore her lost function. Periodic monitoring of grip strength can detect mischief in the spinal cord in time for treatment, before major functional disability has developed. [Aronin PA. Value of dynamometry in assessing upper extremity function in children with myelomeningocele. Pediatr Neurosurg 1995;23:7-12.]
