Can Nerve Pain Be Caused By Tarlov Cysts?

Posted on Fri, 13 Apr 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 Answered on

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : My dauter is 27. She has always kept very fit but has several issues. A large talov cyst at base of spine with erosion of tail boe,2 discs very degenerative lateral and posterier tilt to the pelvis plus large fybroid and endometriosis. She is currently experiencing severe nerve pain down left leg into toes and feels like the left side of her back has collapsed and also had diarrea all day. She is on holiday and contacted me. She has been having physio for 2 months but things are worsening plus she has pain in left knee and cant straighten it. Where do we go from here

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:

Surgery by a Neurosurgeon seems necessary.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Seems like the Tarlov cyst is causing some of the symptoms of your daughter ( nerve pain).

In cases of symptomatic Tarlov cyst surgery is necessary.

Surgical procedures to treat Tarlov cyst include decompressive laminectomy, cyst fenestration or excision.

Diarrhea is very unlikely to be related to Tarlov cyst or degenerative spine disease since she is on vacation travelers disease should be considered.

Since there is a previous indication of fusion surgery of the lumbosacral column, I think both, Tarlov cyst and degenerative spine disease may be treated simultaneously with one surgery.

It is necessary to consult a Neurosurgeon for this purpose.

I don't think physical therapy will help your daughter further.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Erion Spaho, Neurologist, Surgical

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy