A Case of Symptomatic Lumbar Perineural Cyst

Abstract

Radiculopathy is one of the commonest complaints seen in the pain clinics and herniated intervertebral disk is the cause in most of the cases. Perineural cysts (or Tarlov cysts) are mostly seen in the sacral region and their existence in the lumbar region is extremely rare. Though most of the perineural cysts are asymptomatic, they can produce symptoms ranging from chronic low backache to severe neurologic deficits including cauda equina syndrome. Easily detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these perineural cysts have to be surgically removed when symptomatic.