About Tarlov Cysts
What are Tarlov cysts?
A Tarlov cyst (also called a perineural cyst) is an abnormal expansion of a spinal nerve root caused by accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the nerve’s outer sheath. As the fluid accumulates, it enlarges the nerve and forms a cyst, which can compress surrounding nerves and cause debilitating symptoms.
Tarlov cysts can form anywhere along the spine where nerve roots are present but occur most commonly in the sacrum, or base of the spine. Because the cyst is part of the spinal nerve itself, it cannot simply be removed. Over time, Tarlov cysts can also cause bone erosion.
It is important to note that Tarlov cysts are not tumors and are not cancerous.
What causes Tarlov cysts?
The exact cause of Tarlov cysts is unknown. In many cases, the Tarlov cysts may have been present for years or at birth without causing any symptoms. The onset of symptoms can start spontaneously or triggered by a traumatic event such as a fall, car accident, childbirth, epidural injections, heavy lifting, viral illness, medical procedure, or unrelated surgery. Some people with Tarlov cyst disease have a genetic connective tissue disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome or Marfan Syndrome.
How common is Tarlov cyst disease?
About 1 in 25 people (4.18%) have Tarlov cysts, even if they don’t know it. Of those who have cysts, about 4 in 25 people (15.59%) experience symptoms. The condition is diagnosed more often in women than in men. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8164596/
Tarlov cyst disease is often misunderstood
A mistaken belief that Tarlov cysts are always asymptomatic has caused many people to suffer for years with undiagnosed or untreated symptomatic Tarlov cysts.
Even more concerning, some patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts have been misdiagnosed with other conditions and subjected to unnecessary and unsuccessful procedures. Some examples include hysterectomy, laparoscopic exploration, endometriosis and/or other gynecologic surgery, appendectomy, sacroiliac joint fusion with implanted cages, lumbar fusion surgery, coccygectomy, surgery for piriformis syndrome, and bladder procedures.