Reinforced radiculoplasty for the treatment of symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts: A clinical analysis of 71 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the safety and efficacy of reinforced radiculoplasty in the treatment of symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts (TCs).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data and follow-up data of 71 patients with symptomatic sacral TCs who underwent reinforced radiculoplasty in the Neurosurgery Department of Peking University Third Hospital from June 2018 to March 2021. All the operations were performed under neuroelectrophysiological monitoring. Intraoperative cyst exploration, partial resection of the cyst wall, narrowing of the leak, nerve root sleeve radiculoplasty and artificial dural reinforcement were performed. The incidence of postoperative complications and new neurological dysfunction was analyzed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the changes of pain before and after surgery. The Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) low back pain score was used to evaluate the changes in nerve function before and after surgery.@*RESULTS@#In the study, 71 patients had 101 TCs, 19 (18.8%) TCs originated from the left S1 nerve, 26 (25.7%) originated from the left S2 nerve, 3 (3.0%) originated from the left S3 nerve, 14 (13.9%) originated from the right S1 nerve, 33 (32.7%) originated from the right S2 nerve, 6 (5.9%) originated from the right S3 nerve, all the TCs underwent reinforced radiculoplasty. Deep infection (1 case), subcutaneous effusion (1 case), fat li-quefaction (1 case) and urinary tract infection (4 cases) were recorded postoperatively. The patients were followed up for 12-43 months (median, 26 months). Two cases had new urinary retention after operation, and the catheter was removed at the end of the first and second months respectively. One case had new fecal weakness, which improved after 3 months. Compared with preoperation, VAS decreased significantly at the last follow-up [median, 6 (4-9) vs. 1 (0-5), Z=-7.272, P < 0.001], JOA score increased significantly [median, 20 (16-25) vs. 27 (18-29), Z=-7.265, P < 0.001]. There were 18 cured cases (25.4%), 41 excellent cases (57.7%), 8 effective cases (11.3%), and 4 invalid cases (5.6%). The total efficiency was 94.4% (67/71). Two (1.98%) cysts recurred.@*CONCLUSION@#For patients with symptomatic sacral TCs, reinforced radiculoplasty can significantly improve the pain and nerve function, which is safe and reliable.

V for vitamin, inverted V for lack of it: A rare case of subacute combined degeneration of cord with bladder symptoms and associated multiple Tarlov cysts

Subacute degeneration of cord (SACD) is a rare presentation of a common disease and it should be kept in mind when the patient develops symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. This is a case of a 65-year-old male who presented with pins and needles sensation of bilateral hands and feet and with difficulty in voiding. Neurological examination showed large fiber neuropathy with an exaggerated knee jerk, absent ankle jerk, extensor plantar, and a positive Romberg’s sign. Routine laboratory investigations showed low hemoglobin and low vitamin B12 levels. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord showed a hyperintense lesion in the posterior aspect of the cervical cord with a classical “inverted V” sign on the axial section which is suggestive of SACD. Coincidentally, there were multiple Tarlov cysts present. Finally, the patient improved with vitamin B12 injections. This case is unique as an association of SACD with Tarlov cysts with a classical inverted V sign has not been reported according to the literature.

Microsurgical Excision of Symptomatic Sacral Perineurial Cyst with Sacral Recapping Laminectomy : A Case Report in Technical Aspects

Perineurial cysts (Tarlov cysts) are lesions of the nerve root that are often observed in the sacral area. There is debate about whether symptomatic perineurial cysts should be treated surgically. We presented three patients with symptomatic perineurial cyst who were treated surgically, and introduced sacral recapping laminectomy. Patients complained of low back pain and hypesthesia on lower extremities. We performed operations with sacral recapping technique for all three. The outcome measure was baseline visual analogue score and post operative follow up magnetic resonance images. All patients were completely relieved of symptoms after operation. Although not sufficient to address controversies, this small case series introduces successful use of a particular surgical technique to treat sacral perineural cyst, with resolution of most symptoms and no sequelae.

Cervical Perineural Cyst Masquerading as a Cervical Spinal Tumor

Tarlov (perineural) cysts of the nerve roots are common and usually incidental findings during magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine. There are only a few case reports where cervical symptomatic perineural cysts have been described in the literature. We report such a case where a high cervical perineural cyst was masquerading as a cervical spinal tumor.

A symptomatic lumbosacral perineural cyst: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Lumbosacral perineural cysts are formed by the arachnoid membrane of the nerve root at the lumbosacral level. Most of these cysts are asymptomatic and are found incidentally during computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for other causes of chronic lower back pain. This type of cyst requires a differential diagnosis to distinguish it from other causes of radiating pain and neurological symptoms. In the present case, a symptomatic lumbosacral perineural cyst was found, and pain relief was achieved by non-surgical treatment. A lumbosacral perineural cyst was identified from a differential diagnosis of a lumbar disc disorder that presented as radiating pain and neurological symptoms.

Derivación lumboperitoneal como tratamiento de quistes de Tarlov sintomáticos / Lumboperitoneal shunt for treatment of symptomatic lumbar Tarlov cysts

La Lumbalgia es una causa frecuente de discapacidad y de limitación funcional en nuestra sociedad, con un costo financiero, social y laboral muy alto. Es un problema común que afecta a ambos sexos y la mayoría de las edades, para las que aproximadamente uno de cada cuatro adultos busca atención al cabo de seis meses. En los EE.UU., para las personas de 45 años o menos, el dolor lumbar es la causa más frecuente de limitación de actividad. Hay diferentes causas de lumbalgia siendo la enfermedad degenerativa lumbar la causa más común. Dentro de la causas menos frecuente de lumbalgia, se encuentra las asociadas quistes perineurales, llamados también quistes de Tarlov. La gran mayoría de los quistes de Tarlov son asintomáticos, su ubicación más frecuente es la región sacra. Algunos de ellos se tornan sintomáticos y requieren tratamiento. Se han descrito varias formas de manejo entre las cuales se encuentra la resección quirúrgica, la punción percutánea del quiste y las derivaciones quiste peritoneal o Lumboperitoneal. Hasta el momento, no hay consenso sobre cuál es la mejor forma de tratar éstas lesiones. En este artículo pretendemos mostrar una serie de 3 casos donde los pacientes fueron tratados con derivación lumboperitoneal con mejoría clínica completa. Se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura acerca del tratamiento de esta patología que es poco frecuente.

Lumbar pain is one of the causes of incapacity and limitation in our society. There are different causes of lumbar pain, having the degenerative cause being the most frequently found. Perineural cysts are a rare cause of incapacitating lumbar pain and the majority of these cysts are asymptomatic. There is a little information about the treatment of symptomatic perineural cysts. There has been described different treatment options which varies from surgical excision, cyst drainage and lumbar o cyst shunt to the peritoneal cavity. Till this moment there is no consensus on the optimal treatment of these lesions. In this article we want to show a small case series of 3 cases where these patients were treated with lumbo-peritoneal Shunt. This entire patient showed clinical improvement after the treatment. We will also review the literature regarding these rare lesions.