NINDS Tarlov Cysts Information Page

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/t...v_cysts_pr.htm
Synonym(s): Perineural Cysts, Sacral Nerve Root Cysts


Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What are Tarlov Cysts?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?



What are Tarlov Cysts?
Tarlov cysts are fluid-filled sacs that most often affect nerve roots in the sacrum, the group of bones at the base of the spine. These cysts can compress nerve roots, causing lower back pain, sciatica (shock-like or burning pain in the lower back, buttocks, and down one leg to below the knee), urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and some loss of feeling or control of movement in the leg and/or foot. Pressure on the nerves next to the cysts can also cause pain. Tarlov cysts may become symptomatic following shock, trauma, or exertion that causes the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. Women are at much higher risk of developing these cysts than are men.

Is there any treatment?


Tarlov cysts may be drained to relieve pressure and pain, but relief is often only temporary and fluid build-up in the cysts will recur. Corticosteroid injections may also temporarily relieve pain. Other drugs may be prescribed to treat chronic pain and depression. Filling the cysts with fat has not been shown to work. Injecting the cysts with fibrin glue (a combination of naturally occurring substances based on the clotting factor in blood) may provide temporary relief of pain. Some scientists believe the herpes simplex virus, which thrives in an alkaline environment, can cause Tarlov cysts to become symptomatic; making the body less alkaline, through diet or supplements, may lesson symptoms. Surgical resection may be needed when the cysts cause continued pain or progressive neurological damage.

What is the prognosis?


Most Tarlov cysts do not cause pain, weakness, or nerve root compression. The cysts do not appear to recur following complete resection by an experienced neurosurgeon. Acute and chronic pain may require changes in lifestyle. If left untreated, nerve root compression can cause permanent neurological damage.

What research is being done?


The NINDS, a component of the National Institutes of Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, vigorously pursues a research program seeking new treatments to reduce and prevent pain and nerve damage.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.




Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892




NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

Hi GJ.

How in the world did you get diagnosed? Was it a long road to that? Do you mind my asking where your cyst was located?

I'm probably barking up the wrong tree, but I have to wonder if that might be a slight possibility for the tailbone pain I've had for so long. The pain clinic doctor finally told me there was nothing he could do for me and that's extremely frustrating.

I do have bulging and herniated disc in my lower back, and endured back pain for years. Sacro injections did help, after years of having another doctor giving me epdiruals in my spine which were very painful. Not that sacro injections aren't, they hurt like he!!.

Take care.

Doody,

I had an MRI of the lumbar spine and it was found at S2. Though most common in the sacaral area, they have been found in other areas of the spine as well. Tarlov cysts are rather rare, but most often the radiologists just do not report on them, they ignore them. If you find that you have one you then need to find a neurosurgeon that believes they cause pain. I had to go to Hopkins for treatment...I will post more information for you to read...

Doody, I had a sacral perinural cyct diagnosed on an MRI, which is just another name for a Tarlov cyst. If you are concerned, you may want to have someone else either do an MRI, or a different person read the films.
Carolyn

After searving 5 1/2 years in the Air Force, I had an injury. We were short handed, my duty was to change out a tractor tire by myself that weighed about my weight, 118 lbs. I had this enormous tire up in the air, then severe pain between my shoulder blades, I fell backwards onto a tool chest, and the tire hit me in the head.

At sick call, they called this, left shoulder higher then right, muscle spasms. This was called Scoliosis, then pain paravertebral, left shoulder, neck pain, Thoracic pain. Eventually called Myositis (without a muscle biopsy, and spasms not bilateral) then called Myofascial pain.
The cervical x-ray showed reversal of the normal lordotic curvature. Every single day for the past 28 years, I have had pain in the Cervical and Thoracic Spine, and left shoulder to the fingers. The arm goes numb to the 5th digit. Pain shoots to the Trap,Over the years, I've gone to the Hospital for help with this injury many times. This injury was refactory to anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and Physical Therapy.

I was 23 years old when I was hurt. I'm now 51 and tired of living in this kind of pain. Last Aug I set out to find out exactly what my injury was. This has been a battle, an x-ray, Cat Scan, then an MRI without contrast was taken. Some degenerative conditions, disc buldge, etc showed, but did not explain the severity of pain I've been having to deal with. I asked for these tests to be re-read. I obtained a copy on CD, and tried to study these films myself. I was so alone with all this pain.

Then I paid cash, for an MRI with and without contrast at a different facility, to be read by a different Radiologist. He found many problems, he found multiple foraminal compromises, but he found 3 perineural Cysts in the neural foramen up to 5 mm each in the Cervical, and 1 in the Thoracic Spine.
Now my pain is objectified to myself. Today, I took a copy of that report, and CD to the Veteran's Hospital. I asked the Doctor if they have ever treated someone for Perineural Cysts aka Tarlov Cyst Disease before. Their answer was "No". The majority of information on Tarlov is for the Sacrum.
I'm trying to find a document with Cervical and Thoracic listed. Guess, now my battle, is to be service connected for this, and find a way, to have medical treatment.