Are these the exact same things: Perineural Root Sleeve Cyst and Tarlov Cyst?

This is my MRI results as of 27 Feb 2013.
Impressions: Mild disc disease at multiple leves as described.
Perineural root sleeve cyst noted on the left at c7/t1.

C2/C3 Normal
C3/C4 Very mild central disc protrusion. No significant impingement of neural foramen noted
C4/C5 Very mild central disc protrusion. No significant impingement of neural foramen noted
C5/C6 Broad-based disc protrusion. Minimal impingement on neural foramen bilaterally is noted.
C6/C7 Mild broad-based disc protrusion noted. Minimal impingement of the left neural foramen is noted.
C7/T1 The disc is normal at this level. There is a left perineural root sleeve cyst. This is slightly beyond the neural foramen. The nerve can be seen transiting the cyst.

I guess I'm wondering if this is in fact a Tarlov cyst. Also, for those that have it in your cervical spine, what treatment worked best for you? (I realize it is very individual). Also, does my neck with so many disc protrusions sound like a concern to anyone or just something that should be easy to live with without needing intervention at this time?

My MRI was T1W and T2W with and without contrast. I am waiting on my insurance to process a referral for a ns at this time. My current dr said if the ns says I am not a surgical candidate, then they will get me set up in the pain management clinic. Does this sound like the right treatment path? I am also supposed to start PT on 18 Mar 2013. I have tried chiropractic, muscle relaxers, and PT in the past with no benefits from any of them. My symptoms are pins and needles (asleep feeling) and pain from my neck, left shoulder, and entire left arm down to and including my finger tips. The more I use my left arm the more pain I seem to have (this makes me not want to use my left arm, but I still do use it almost all the time). I have an 8 month old son so I am very active trying to keep him entertained.

Thank you,

Katie

[Hi Katie ,

Im not sure why they dont think your a surgical canidate-- esp if your have root nerve compression and show symptoms from it. I know they can be drained with fine needle --but they grow back. I know sometimes they inject steroids into them --but they come back in time.

You really might want to seeks out 2 or 3 consutls. Has anyone in your family ever had one I know people where it runs in famlily.

I know there is a minally invasive procedure where they drain it and put a injection aof a fibrin glue. I know many people there found on MRI but cause no symptoms. How long have you had symptoms?

Sorry for the confusion, I haven't met with the NS yet. But IF they say I am not a surgical candidate then my PCM would put me into the pain management clinic. I have no family history of this. I had a probable ministroke/TIA sept 11 2006 where I passed out in the shower and have had nearly constant neck pain ever since. I had post concussion syndrome for 10 months so things kind of got all mixed together as far as what was caused by what. I had the probable TIA due to a 11 mm PFO (Patent Foreman Ovale) and that was closed via transcather closure Jun 2008. In 2009 my left arm and neck completely locked up which took me back to my PCM and then for an MRI which then showed the cyst. I was supposed to get another MRI done with contrast 6 months later to monitor the cyst but I didn't have medical ins anymore and I have always just dealt with the pain. About 1 1/2 to 2 months ago my left arm was numb/tingly/asleep feeling for an entire week, and I have an infant son so I went back to the PCM (as I once again have medical ins.) and they sent me for an MRI. Those were my most recent MRI results. I have been having problems ever since. No car accidents or anything.

On my first MRI I had very minimal bulging discs at 1 or 2 levels. My 2nd MRI showed the same thing but with the cyst (the first two MRIs were done without contrast). This most recent one was done with contrast and I am being referred to a neurosurgeon now. Ther disc protrusions are at even more levels than before. I hope that kind of clears things up.

I am 26 and have been having neck and arm/including shoulder pain since 2006...so I guess that would be 6 1/2 years now. I have tried PT (and TENS) and chiropractic (and TENS) as well as muscle relaxers...none seemed to help.

Katie

So is a perineural root sleeve cyst the same as a Tarlov Cyst?

Katie--I think they are the same --but honestly I would have to research more. You have been thru so much at 26 with a baby at home. Do they know what caused the TIA?

sorry i just read why --im slow today

most people have herinations without symptoms until they become to large and cause nerve problems but there is a big diffrence in nerve impgiment and spinal cord compression --I was in so much pain prior to surgery--morphine wouldnt touch it --since your young try all conservative measures ---there is machine called the dmx 9000 --decompression machine --do some research on it. Cant hurt to look into a bit the prob is im not sure if insurance covers it yet.

Oh, there's even more medical history for me but it is completely different from spinal LOL. I always joke, I got all the bad genes in the family because I am the ONLY one with these problems LOL

Other than OTC or strong pain meds, what else can work? I'm in so much pain and the more I use my arm the more it hurts. I have an 8 month old son who wants to be held and I hold him and play with him and protect him, but I am in sooo much pain.

Any ideas? Would immobilization help? I don't want to harm my muscles by not using them, but I need to get this pain to go away.

Thanks

Well they said I do have diminished sensation on my Left arm. and diminished deep tendon reflexes bilaterally (c5-c7/c8 (c8 nerve)). I also have bad posture. During the manual muscle tests I have good flexion and abduction and I am significantly weaker on my left.

I could do 60 lb on my right and only 45 lb on my left (even accounting for me being right handed, this is significantly lower <--according the the PT evaluator).

Rotation and sidebend (of neck) also need improvement and some of it might be because my muscles and tendons are really tight

Anyway, that's the latest update. Going to try to be doing PT 2-3 times a week for at least the next 4 weeks.

I found this thread while researching whether a Perineural Root Sleeve Cyst is the same thing as a Tarlov Cyst. Did you ever get an answer?

I hope you are feeling better! I had spinal fusion surgery Sept. 2012, felt great for a year and a half, and symptoms returned. MRI shows cysts and I'm trying to figure out what they are - I meet with the doctor later this week and presumably will find out, but am just doing my homework.

Thanks!