What are Tarlov cysts filled with?

Tarlov cysts are sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid that most often affect nerve roots in the sacrum, the group of bones at the base of the spine.

What causes Tarlov cysts to grow?

The exact cause of Tarlov cysts is unknown. Several theories exist including that the cysts result from an inflammatory process within the nerve root sheath or that trauma injures the nerve root sheath and causes leaking of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) into the area where a cyst forms.

Are Tarlov cysts serious?

Tarlov cysts are a condition where you develop cysts on the nerves of your spine. These pockets of fluid aren’t life-threatening, but they can lead to symptoms like pain or muscle weakness. The cysts are treatable but may require spine surgery to remove them completely.

Do Tarlov cysts get bigger?

Tarlov cysts sometimes enlarge enough to cause erosion of the surrounding bone, which is another way they may cause back pain. In most cases, Tarlov cysts require no treatment. For those that do, some surgical treatments — such as draining the cyst — have had promising results.

Can a Tarlov cyst burst?

Lumbosacral Tarlov cysts (TCs) have rarely been seen to rupture. Here, we report an unusual presentation of a ruptured TC with intraspinal hemorrhage mimicking carcinomatosis. Pathological diagnosis was obtained using percutaneous biopsy. A conservative approach was utilized and an excellent outcome was achieved.

What is the average size of a Tarlov cyst?

On average most Tarlov cysts are small, but some can be as large as 6 cm (about 2.4 inches). There is some confusion over the precise definition of Tarlov cysts and how they are different from other spinal cysts.

Is Tarlov cyst a disability?

A June 2015 rating decision granted service connection for a Tarlov cyst, and a November 2015 rating decision granted a 40 percent rating for the Tarlov cyst with low back disability.

What is considered a large Tarlov cyst?

Large TCs are usually defined as cysts with ≥1.5 cm diameter. The largest and the most symptomatic TCs occur in the sacral region. Large TCs are rare and show enlargement of neural foramina and bone erosion.

What kind of doctor removes a Tarlov cyst?

It is best to consult a neurosurgeon with experience in treating this condition. Tarlov cysts may be discovered when patients with low back pain or sciatica have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed.

Can you get disability for Tarlov cysts?

What type of doctor treats Tarlov cysts?

Most primary care physicians would not consider the possibility of Tarlov cyst. It is best to consult a neurosurgeon with experience in treating this condition. Tarlov cysts may be discovered when patients with low back pain or sciatica have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed.