Symptomatic sacral perineurial (Tarlov) cysts
Tomislav Sajko1, Damir Kovać, Nenad Kudelić
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia. t_sajko@net.hr
Collegium Antropologicum
|January 28, 2010
Summary
Sacral perineurial (Tarlov) cysts are rare but can cause neurological symptoms. Microsurgical treatment is successful for large, symptomatic cysts, aiding diagnosis in patients with low back pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Sacral perineurial (Tarlov) cysts are uncommon lesions.
- Lumbar disk herniation surgery is common, providing a context for rare cyst identification.
Observation:
- Neurological symptoms in three patients were attributed to large sacral perineurial cysts.
- Diagnostic methods include lumbosacral MRI and CT myelography.
- Most Tarlov cysts are asymptomatic.
Findings:
- Microsurgical treatment proved successful for large (≥1.5 cm) symptomatic perineurial cysts.
- This case series highlights three patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts.
Implications:
- Tarlov cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of low back and radicular pain.
- Understanding the pathology and treatment options for these cysts is crucial for effective patient management.
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