Tarlov Cysts Are Not Incidental:

Understanding the Serious Impact and Importance of Proper Diagnosis

Tarlov Cysts have often been dismissed as incidental findings during routine imaging, leading many doctors to underestimate their impact on patients' health. This outdated belief has left countless patients suffering from debilitating symptoms with little to no access to proper diagnosis or treatment. But medical research has proven this view to be incorrect—Tarlov Cysts are not simply benign, and when symptomatic, they can cause life-altering symptoms.

For many years, radiologists have reported Tarlov cysts as an incidental finding of doubtful clinical significance and giving greater prominence to other co-existing spinal pathologies [44–46]. There is, however, extensive evi- dence that Tarlov cysts identified radiologically can be symptomatic.

Research-Proven Facts About Tarlov Cysts

The Review of the Literature and Experience with Over 1000 Referrals, Patient Study, published in the Springer Nature Journal Neuroradiology by Dr. Kieran Murphy, shows that Tarlov Cysts can be symptomatic and significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. While approximately 80% of Tarlov Cysts may be asymptomatic, the remaining 20% can cause severe symptoms such as:

- Chronic low back pain

- Numbness and tingling in the legs or feet

- Bladder and bowel dysfunction

- Sexual dysfunction

- Burning or weakness in the legs

These symptoms can be life-altering, yet patients are frequently left without answers because Tarlov Cysts are too often dismissed as incidental. This desperately needs to change. Healthcare providers must stop disregarding these cysts and begin understanding the profound impact they can have when symptomatic.

Testing for Symptomatic Tarlov Cysts

Diagnosing whether a Tarlov Cyst is symptomatic requires a thorough and careful approach. Here’s what is typically involved in assessing the condition:

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):

   - A dedicated sacral MRI is one of the most reliable methods to assess Tarlov Cysts. The imaging needs to include both axial and sagittal planes of the sacral area to provide a clear view of the cyst’s size and its potential impact on nearby nerve roots. This imaging is crucial to determining whether a cyst is putting pressure on the nerves, which is a key factor in identifying symptomatic cases.

Extradural Meningeal Cyst

2. Clinical Examination:

   - Doctors must conduct a thorough neurological assessment, paying close attention to the sacral nerve roots. Symptoms such as pain while sitting, along with bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction, should prompt further investigation. Women, in particular, are disproportionately affected, and physicians should inquire about any pelvic pain or dysfunction.

3. Symptom Correlation:

   - It is essential to correlate the patient’s symptoms with the location of the cyst. For example, a cyst located at the S2-S3 sacral level might cause neurological symptoms like pain or dysfunction in the lower extremities. This connection between the cyst’s position and the patient’s symptoms provides strong evidence that the Tarlov Cyst is indeed symptomatic.

4. Nerve Root Blocks:

   - In some cases, diagnostic nerve root blocks can be used to determine whether a specific nerve root compressed by the Tarlov Cyst is causing the patient’s symptoms. If the patient experiences relief after this procedure, it suggests that the cyst is indeed the source of the symptoms.

The Consequences of Dismissing Tarlov Cysts

The failure to properly diagnose and treat symptomatic Tarlov Cysts can lead to years of unnecessary suffering for patients. Without proper care, these cysts can continue to cause severe pain, dysfunction, and even further neurological damage. Patients may undergo unnecessary treatments or surgeries for unrelated conditions, when in reality, their Tarlov Cyst remains the root cause of their symptoms.

The Risks of Delayed Diagnosis

Failure to diagnose symptomatic Tarlov Cysts in a timely manner can have profound consequences on a patient's quality of life. According to the Murphy 1000 Referral Patient Study, delayed diagnosis often leads to progressive nerve damage, which can result in chronic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and even loss of mobility. Moreover, the prolonged struggle without proper diagnosis can significantly impact mental health, with many patients experiencing depression, social isolation, and loss of employment. These effects further degrade the patient's overall well-being, creating a cycle of physical and emotional suffering. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to prevent these severe long-term consequences.

The Tarlov Cyst Society is committed to raising awareness and advocating for better diagnostic protocols and treatment options for patients with symptomatic Tarlov Cysts. With more research and education, we aim to ensure that Tarlov Cysts are no longer dismissed as incidental and that patients receive the informed care they deserve.

Thanks to researchers like Dr. Murphy and many others, we are now able to prove that Tarlov Cysts are not insignificant incidental findings.

By working together to raise awareness and push for better medical understanding, we can change the way Tarlov Cysts are perceived and treated. No patient should have to live in pain because their symptoms are being overlooked.

Join us in our mission to bring this issue to light and help patients get the care they need.