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Case Reports
. 2020 Apr 30:4:11.
doi: 10.21037/acr.2020.04.01. eCollection 2020.

CT-guided percutaneous aspiration of Tarlov cyst: a case report of 2-year follow up

Ertugrul Sahin  1 , Sang-Ho Lee  2 , Sang Soo Eun  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

CT-guided percutaneous aspiration of Tarlov cyst: a case report of 2-year follow up

Ertugrul Sahin et al. AME Case Rep. .

Abstract

Tarlov cysts are a rare pathology characterized by sac formations at the nerve root in the sacrum. Although many options have been proposed, there is still no consensus regarding the optimal treatment strategy. The authors report a case involving a 43-year woman with a sacral perineural cyst causing buttock pain and anus discomfort for 4 years. The patient successfully underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided aspiration. She currently has no symptoms, and 2-year follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed a decrease in cyst size. CT-guided aspiration is a safe and effective treatment option, and leads to improvement in cyst-related symptoms with minimal risk.

Keywords: CT guided aspiration; Tarlov cyst; case report; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); perineural cyst.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/acr.2020.04.01). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing Tarlov cyst. (A) T2-weighted sagittal MRI and (B) axial MRI revealing a Tarlov cyst 58 mm × 21 mm in size. (C) Two-year follow-up T2-weighted sagittal MRI demonstrates two encapsulated cysts with decreased size. (D) In T2-weighted axial MRI, the cyst exhibits a less compressive effect on the bone. The nerve roots are well visualized compared with the initial MRI.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT guided aspiration of Tarlov cyst. (A) Computed tomography (CT)-guided needle penetrating the left side of the S2 lamina; (B) The patient is inside the CT scanner and cerebrospinal fluid was aspirated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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