Presenting Series of Seven Cases of MRI Spectrum of Symptomatic and Non – Symptomatic Tarlov Cysts for Orthopedic Management Point of View

These cysts are perineural cysts and mostly found in sacral region. The dorsal nerve root is encased
in this type of the cyst. The entity is infrequently found as an incidental finding. These are
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filled sacs which are diagnosed on cross sectional imaging modalities
especially in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a series of seven cases where these
perineural cysts were found during the routine imaging of lumbosacral spine. All these patients had
undergone Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of lumbosacral spine for backache or some other
pelvic complaints. In one case Computerized Tomography (CT) Myelography also helped in diagnosis
and cyst related bone remodeling. Three patients were found to be symptomatic and the intensity of
complaints corresponded to the size and location of the cysts. In our three cases, the
etiopathogenesis also corresponded to the underlying development of these entities. Four patients
were asymptomatic as the size of these cysts were small and did not contribute to the complaints of
the patient. MRI is the best modality to diagnose these perineural cysts which are responsible for
different types of myelopathies .T2WI sequences in non contrast MRI studies are the best in
delineating the size, shape, outline and location of these cysts. This also further elaborates their
extension to the surrounding regions.MR myelography is adjuvant to look for more morphological
features of these cysts.