Tarlov cyst
Updates to Article Attributes
A Tarlov cyst (also called a perineural cyst) is a CSF filled dilatation of the nerve root sheath at the dorsal root ganglion. These are type II spinal meningeal cysts that are, by definition, extra dural, but contain neural tissue.
Epidemiology
They occur in approximately 5% of the population, more commonly in women.
Clinical presentation
The prevalence and severity of symptoms in patients with Tarlov cysts is controvertial. Traditionally, and still largely the dominant view, it has been believed that like other spinal meningeal cysts, most Tarlov cysts are incidentally found and are asymptomatic. In some patients it appears that Tarlov cysts are the cause of symptoms, such as perineal pain / discomfort or lower back pain or sphincter / sexual dysfunction 3. Large cysts may cause local pressure effect and remodel bones. Symptoms however don't however appear to correlate well with size 2.
Radiographic features
Most Tarlov cysts appear as CSF intensity simple cystic structures closely related to sacral nerves. The sacral foramina may be widened. Morphology can vary from a simple rounded cyst to a complex loculated cystic mass. There may be bone scalloping of the exit foramen.
Etymology
Initially described by I.M Tarlov in 1938 1
See also
-<p>A <strong>Tarlov cyst</strong> (also called a <strong>perineural cyst</strong>) is a CSF filled dilatation of the <a href="/articles/nerve-root-sheath" title="nerve root sheath">nerve root sheath</a> at the <a href="/articles/dorsal-root-ganglion" title="dorsal root ganglion">dorsal root ganglion</a>. These are <a href="/articles/classification-of-spinal-meningeal-cysts-1" title="Nabor classification of spinal meningeal cysts">type II spinal meningeal cysts</a> that are, by definition, extra dural, but contain neural tissue.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>They occur in approximately 5% of the population, more commonly in women.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>The prevalence and severity of symptoms in patients with Tarlov cysts is controvertial. Traditionally, and still largely the dominant view, it has been believed that like other <a href="/articles/spinal-meningeal-cyst" title="Spinal meningeal cyst">spinal meningeal cysts</a>, most Tarlov cysts are incidentally found and are asymptomatic. In some patients it appears that Tarlov cysts are the cause of symptoms, such as perineal pain / discomfort or lower back pain or sphincter / sexual dysfunction <sup>3</sup>. Large cysts may cause local pressure effect and remodel bones. Symptoms however don't however appear to correlate well with size <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Most Tarlov cysts appear as CSF intensity simple cystic structures closely related to sacral nerves. The sacral foramina may be widened. Morphology can vary from a simple rounded cyst to a complex loculated cystic mass. There may be bone scalloping of the exit foramen.</p><h4>Etymology</h4><p>Initially described by <strong>I.M Tarlov</strong> in 1938 <sup>1</sup></p><h4>See also</h4><ul>-<li><a href="/articles/spinal-meningeal-cyst" title="Spinal meningeal cyst">spinal meningeal cyst</a></li>-<li><a href="/articles/classification-of-spinal-meningeal-cysts-1" title="Spinal meningeal cyst classification">spinal meningeal cyst classification</a></li>- +<p>A <strong>Tarlov cyst</strong> (also called a <strong>perineural cyst</strong>) is a CSF filled dilatation of the <a href="/articles/nerve-root-sheath">nerve root sheath</a> at the <a href="/articles/dorsal-root-ganglion">dorsal root ganglion</a>. These are <a href="/articles/classification-of-spinal-meningeal-cysts-1">type II spinal meningeal cysts</a> that are, by definition, extra dural, but contain neural tissue.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>They occur in approximately 5% of the population, more commonly in women.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>The prevalence and severity of symptoms in patients with Tarlov cysts is controvertial. Traditionally, and still largely the dominant view, it has been believed that like other <a href="/articles/spinal-meningeal-cyst">spinal meningeal cysts</a>, most Tarlov cysts are incidentally found and are asymptomatic. In some patients it appears that Tarlov cysts are the cause of symptoms, such as perineal pain / discomfort or lower back pain or sphincter / sexual dysfunction <sup>3</sup>. Large cysts may cause local pressure effect and remodel bones. Symptoms however don't however appear to correlate well with size <sup>2</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Most Tarlov cysts appear as CSF intensity simple cystic structures closely related to sacral nerves. The sacral foramina may be widened. Morphology can vary from a simple rounded cyst to a complex loculated cystic mass. There may be bone scalloping of the exit foramen.</p><h4>Etymology</h4><p>Initially described by <strong>I.M Tarlov</strong> in 1938 <sup>1</sup></p><h4>See also</h4><ul>
- +<li><a href="/articles/spinal-meningeal-cyst">spinal meningeal cyst</a></li>
- +<li><a href="/articles/classification-of-spinal-meningeal-cysts-1">spinal meningeal cyst classification</a></li>
References changed:
- 4. Paulsen RD, Call GA, Murtagh FR. Prevalence and percutaneous drainage of cysts of the sacral nerve root sheath (Tarlov cysts). AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1994;15 (2): 293-7. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8192075">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
Image 8 MRI (T2) ( create )
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