Growth of a Sacral Perineural (Tarlov) Cyst: Clinical Images

Abstract

Although Tarlov cysts (TC) were first described in 1938, our understanding of these common spinal lesions remains poor. As TCs represent incidental findings in the vast majority of cases, evidence to guide their management is limited to small case series. When they are symptomatic, the presentation can have significant overlap with degenerative spine disease. This is the first report demonstrating growth of TCs. The patient underwent open surgical reduction of the symptomatic TCs, leading to improvement in her symptoms.