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Can patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts be differentiated from patients with specific low back pain based on comprehensive history taking?

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Abstract

Background

Tarlov cysts (TCs) are expanded nerve root sheaths that occur near the dorsal root ganglion and result from increased intraspinal hydrostatic pressure. TCs most frequently affect the lumbosacral plexus and therefore may cause specific symptoms such as perineal pain and neurogenic bladder, bowel, and sphincter problems. It has been estimated that 1% of the population has symptomatic Tarlov cysts (STCs). However, STCs appear to be underdiagnosed, with the pain reported by patients commonly attributed to degenerative alterations seen on MRI. The aim of the present study is to investigate the utility of a comprehensive questionnaire for use by physicians in establishing the diagnosis of STCs.

Methods

We compared questionnaire responses regarding patient history between 33 patients diagnosed with symptomatic TCs and 42 patients with chronic low back pain and sciatica due to disc problems or degenerative or inflammatory disorders. The diagnosis of STCs was confirmed using nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) of the sacral myotomes by an expert neurophysiologist.

Results

The questionnaire responses revealed specific differences in perineal symptoms (perineal pain, dyspareunia, coccygodynia), bowel symptoms (constipation, diarrhea), bladder symptoms (hesitation, retention, frequency), and anal sphincter problems (anal pain, mild fecal incontinence). Additionally, sitting, walking, and straining aggravated pain more frequently in STC patients, and STC patients were more often forced to stop working and/or reduce their social activities.

Conclusions

Including the above-listed items in the patient history might facilitate differentiation of low back pain and sciatica due to STCs from that due to disc problems or degenerative or inflammatory disorders.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Debbie West and Frank Feigenbaum for permission to use their International Tarlov Cyst Questionnaire (Feigenbaum Neurosurgery PA, Dallas, TX and Cyprus). We also thank Anouchka Laenen for statistical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium

    Maria Anna Hulens, Wim Dankaerts, Marie-Laure Willaert & Charlotte Vereecke

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, ZNA Middelheim, Lindendreef 1, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium

    Maria Anna Hulens & Ricky Rasschaert

  3. Clinical Electromyography Laboratory, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Frans Bruyninckx

  4. Department of Social and Primary Health Care, Public Health Nutrition, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Greet Vansant

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  1. Maria Anna Hulens
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Hulens, M.A., Dankaerts, W., Rasschaert, R. et al. Can patients with symptomatic Tarlov cysts be differentiated from patients with specific low back pain based on comprehensive history taking?. Acta Neurochir 160, 839–844 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-018-3494-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-018-3494-z

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