Spinal Perineural Cysts among European Patients

Abstract

Background A perineural (Tarlov) cyst is a fluid-filled lesion occurring between the perineurium and the endoneurium of spinal nerve roots. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and morphology of perineural cysts, detected incidentally in patients with symptomatic degenerative disk disease. Materials/methods The study was based on the retrospective data gathered during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Results and Conclusions Out of 3,128 spinal MRI examinations, perineural cysts were detected in 286 patients (9%). The cysts were most commonly observed in the sacral region, followed by thoracic, cervical, and lumbar regions. Cysts were more common in women than in men and the average age of patients was 54.8 years. In the majority, a single cyst was found. The average longest dimension of the lesion was 11.72 mm.

CT-Guided Aspiration of a Hemorrhagic Tarlov Cyst for the Treatment of a Post-Partum Sciatica: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

“…Symptomatic Tarlov cysts are not frequent and cases of intracystic hemorrhage appear to be extremely rare ( 2 , 3 , 9 ). Hemorrhagic cysts are mainly described as complications of trauma or anticoagulation therapies ( 10 ).…”

“…Tarlov or perineural cysts are dilations of nerve roots resulting from pathologically increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure ( 1 ). The cysts are most commonly observed in the sacral region, followed by thoracic, cervical, and lumbar regions ( 2 , 3 ). In the majority of cases, a single cyst was found ( 2 , 3 ).…”

“…The cysts are most commonly observed in the sacral region, followed by thoracic, cervical, and lumbar regions ( 2 , 3 ). In the majority of cases, a single cyst was found ( 2 , 3 ). These cysts are present in 9% of the population, and are more common in women ( 2 , 3 ).…”

“…In the majority of cases, a single cyst was found (2,3). These cysts are present in 9% of the population, and are more common in women (2,3). Most of these cysts remain asymptomatic throughout the patient's life, but some of them, independently of their size, can exert pressure on neural elements inducing pain, single or multiple radiculopathies of the cauda equina, and can be associated to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (1,4).…”

Case report: Epidural blood patches are effective in treating intracranial hypotension due to a subarachnoid-pleural fistula

“…TCs are most often found in the lumbosacral spine, with a prevalence of 1.5% to 4.6%, and 80% of them are asymptomatic ( 12 ). Thoracic TCs are very uncommon, and accounted for 5.5% of all the cysts detected in one retrospective study ( 13 ). MRI is the most useful modality to detect TCs, with typical imaging showing a signal intensity that is consistent with cysts filled with CSF.…”