Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts
Background Tarlov cysts, also known as perineural cysts, are fluid-filled sacs that typically arise between the covering layers of the perineurium and endoneurium at the junction of the dorsal root ganglion. They are usually asymptomatic and typically located at the lumbosacral spine. Thoracic l...
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| Language: | English |
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Knowledge E
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Spine Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://knepublishing.com/index.php/jsp/article/view/16817 |
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| author | Maroua Slouma Samar Zarati Dahmani Yades Imen Gharsallah |
| author_facet | Maroua Slouma Samar Zarati Dahmani Yades Imen Gharsallah |
| author_sort | Maroua Slouma |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background
Tarlov cysts, also known as perineural cysts, are fluid-filled sacs that typically arise between the covering layers of the perineurium and endoneurium at the junction of the dorsal root ganglion. They are usually asymptomatic and typically located at the lumbosacral spine. Thoracic localization is rarely reported and is a challenging condition both clinically due to its misleading wide range of symptoms and therapeutically, given the lack of management guidelines.
Case
We report a case of a man in his seventies complaining of chronic back pain with worsening bilateral thoracic radiculopathy with tingling and burning sensations following T11-T12 dermatomes. The neurological examination was without abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral, extradural, and large cystic formations. The diagnosis of thoracic bilateral giant cysts was established. The patient denied surgical treatment. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen led to partial improvement of symptoms.
Conclusion
This case highlights clinical and imaging features of thoracic Tarlov cysts. The MRI is considered the gold standard for diagnosing Tarlov cysts and effectively ruling out differential diagnoses. The initial therapeutic approach for Tarlov cysts typically involves conservative management.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b100a52277754d4f9ff444d4f8c0efbe |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2789-9454 2789-9462 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Knowledge E |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Spine Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-b100a52277754d4f9ff444d4f8c0efbe2025-08-20T02:52:34ZengKnowledge EJournal of Spine Practice2789-94542789-94622024-12-014110.18502/jsp.v4i1.16817Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov CystsMaroua Slouma0Samar Zarati1Dahmani Yades2Imen Gharsallah3Rheumatology Department, Military Hospital, TunisRheumatology Department, Military Hospital, TunisFaculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El ManarRheumatology Department, Military Hospital, Tunis Background Tarlov cysts, also known as perineural cysts, are fluid-filled sacs that typically arise between the covering layers of the perineurium and endoneurium at the junction of the dorsal root ganglion. They are usually asymptomatic and typically located at the lumbosacral spine. Thoracic localization is rarely reported and is a challenging condition both clinically due to its misleading wide range of symptoms and therapeutically, given the lack of management guidelines. Case We report a case of a man in his seventies complaining of chronic back pain with worsening bilateral thoracic radiculopathy with tingling and burning sensations following T11-T12 dermatomes. The neurological examination was without abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral, extradural, and large cystic formations. The diagnosis of thoracic bilateral giant cysts was established. The patient denied surgical treatment. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen led to partial improvement of symptoms. Conclusion This case highlights clinical and imaging features of thoracic Tarlov cysts. The MRI is considered the gold standard for diagnosing Tarlov cysts and effectively ruling out differential diagnoses. The initial therapeutic approach for Tarlov cysts typically involves conservative management. https://knepublishing.com/index.php/jsp/article/view/16817Tarlov cystperineural cyststhoracic radiculopathy |
| spellingShingle | Maroua Slouma Samar Zarati Dahmani Yades Imen Gharsallah Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts Journal of Spine Practice Tarlov cyst perineural cysts thoracic radiculopathy |
| title | Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts |
| title_full | Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts |
| title_fullStr | Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts |
| title_short | Thoracic Radiculopathy Unveiling Giant Bilateral Thoracic Tarlov Cysts |
| title_sort | thoracic radiculopathy unveiling giant bilateral thoracic tarlov cysts |
| topic | Tarlov cyst perineural cysts thoracic radiculopathy |
| url | https://knepublishing.com/index.php/jsp/article/view/16817 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marouaslouma thoracicradiculopathyunveilinggiantbilateralthoracictarlovcysts AT samarzarati thoracicradiculopathyunveilinggiantbilateralthoracictarlovcysts AT dahmaniyades thoracicradiculopathyunveilinggiantbilateralthoracictarlovcysts AT imengharsallah thoracicradiculopathyunveilinggiantbilateralthoracictarlovcysts |