Fluid-filled sacs that form on the nerve roots of the spine, sometimes causing pain and neurological symptoms.
✦ AI summary
Here's a plain-language summary of what these sources report about Tarlov cysts (fluid-filled sacs that form on nerve roots, usually near the base of the spine):
**What they are and how they're found:** Tarlov cysts are often discovered incidentally on spinal MRI scans, and most don't cause any symptoms; only a smaller subgroup leads to nerve-related problems [11]. Researchers have noted that terminology for these and related spinal fluid-sac conditions is often inconsistent, which can lead to confusion or misdiagnosis between different types of lesions (e.g., Tarlov cysts vs. meningoceles) [2][5].
**Symptoms reported:** People with symptomatic cysts describe things like sitting intolerance, sacral/perineal pain or sensory changes, radiating leg pain, weakness, and bowel/bladder or sexual dysfunction [3][6][11]. Some case reports describe specific nerve-related pain such as pudendal neuralgia [1] or ejaculatory dysfunction linked to lumbosacral nerve involvement [7]. One study found a notable connection between Tarlov cysts and Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-P
This is an AI-generated summary of the sources below — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Lower back painSacral painBladder dysfunctionLeg painWeaknessNumbness
Pudendal neuralgia caused by a sacral perineural Tarlov cyst: illustrative case.
Pudendal neuralgia is one of the clinically poorly understood disease groups. The authors report a rare case of pudendal neuralgia caused by a sacral Tarlov cyst. A 52-year-old woman was referred to the authors' clinic with perineal pain that had been occurring for the past 6 months and worsened whe…
An integrated classification to guide the management of spinal meninges pathologies.
The terminology used for spinal meningeal pathologies is often inconsistent, with multiple terms referring to similar or related anatomical anomalies. This lack of standardization leads to variability in the management of these lesions, with differing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for simila…
Presacral meningocele presenting after rupture into the retroperitoneal space with acute debilitating intracranial hypotension: illustrative case.
Presacral meningoceles are rare congenital cystic lesions caused by herniation of the thecal sac through an anterior sacral defect. Presentations range from asymptomatic to rupture and meningitis. Treatment aims to eliminate subarachnoid communication, recurrence, and complications. The authors repo…
Percutaneous uniaxial endoscopic fenestration for removal of symptomatic cervical Tarlov cyst.
To report a rare case of cervical Tarlov cyst successfully treated using a percutaneous uniaxial endoscopic fenestration. This was a single case report describing the surgical technique, clinical assessment, radiological verification, and long-term follow-up outcomes of percutaneous uniaxial endosco…
Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Surgical Patients With Sacral Tarlov Cysts: A 2-Year Prospective Study.
We describe our longitudinal experience with patients who underwent surgical treatment for Tarlov cysts. General and disease-specific validated outcome measures were used to assess health-related quality of life through 2 years postoperatively. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for sacral Ta…
Microsurgical reinforced radiculoplasty for symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts in children: a retrospective study assessing safety and efficacy.
Symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts are rare in the pediatric population. Traditional surgical methods are associated with high recurrence rates and risks of neurological injury. Microsurgical reinforced radiculoplasty (MRR), which focuses on reconstructing the nerve root sleeve to obliterate the cerebr…
Tarlov Cyst with Pelvic Extension Mimicking an Adnexal Mass: A Case Report.
Pelvic extension of sacral Tarlov cysts can closely resemble adnexal masses on ultrasound. When cystic pelvic lesions coexist with radicular pain or sitting intolerance, MRI is mandatory prior to gynecologic surgery. Conservative treatment is preferred unless neurological deterioration occurs.
Orthostatic headache and aseptic cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis from an intrasacral meningocele.
PURPOSE: We present a rare case of a giant intrasacral meningocele with a unique presentation, discuss diagnostic challenges, and describe surgical management. Although intrasacral meningoceles are often incidentally found, they can cause debilitating pain and other severe neurological symptoms. MET…