1.   Syringomyelia is normally treated surgically, with doctors opening the spine, removing scar tissue and implanting a tube to drain damaging spinal fluid from the cavity.

2.   During the procedure, doctors often implant tiny tubes called stents to help keep arteries propped open.

3.   In addition to the two operations, Pena Gomez said he had a tube implanted in his stomach in December because of a blockage.

4.   Most patients had one tube implanted under local anesthesia in the lower back, intthe space that contains the liquid surrounding the spinal cord.