My sister's...
 

My 27 year old sister is a phi beta kappa member, full time student, full time employee, wife and a wonderful mother of three small girls.

She has been having undiagnosed low back and leg pain, with numbness and tingling. She has also been constapated. This has been going on since the beginning of this year. She has had at least two MRI. The medical team originally detected a cyst however they said it was too small to be causing any problems. Blood work has come back negative.

Today she was admitted to the hospital awaiting a neurological examination secondary to unbearable pain and paralysis of bilateral lower extremities. It takes great effort to wiggle her toes.

8 years ago she had a 20-30 lbs asymptomatic begnein tumor removed from her "stomach area".

I am a 1st year physical therapy student. To me this is consistant with symptoms associated with tarlov cyst nerve root compresson (S2-S4???).

My questions:
1) Why are they now going to the neurologist??? Her symptoms have progressively gotten worse.

2) Could she have any permanent nerve damage, ie paralysis?

3)If this is in fact a tarlov cyst, then what is the most common treatment?

I will be greatful to anyone offering advice. Thank you!

I would look into Donlin Long at Hopkins or Frasier Henderson at Georgetown. Both have experience with the Tarlov cyst and can answer your questions.