Clinical findings of Tarlov cyst according to its location and level in lumbosacral spine on magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Background: Tarlov cysts are fluid filled cysts that are most found in the lumbosacral spine. Patients often present with a series of distinguished neurological deficits that correlate with the mass effects of cyst provided on the level and location of the lumbosacral spine. Objective: To determine the clinical findings of Tarlov Cyst associated with its level and location magnetic resonance imaging Methods: A total of 60 patients with different sets of neurological deficits were included in this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Ghurki Trust and Teaching hospital. Data was collected by using Questionnaire/Performa. An MRI procedure was used to assess the Tarlov cysts. A Convenient sampling technique was used in this study. Data was evaluated and analysed with SPSS v-25 and Microsoft excel. Results: Out of 60 patients, there were 40 females (66.67 %) and around 20 males (33.3%). The most common neurological deficits that was found in patients were numbness seen in 50 patients, loss of reflexes seen in 40 patients, mass effects in the affected region were seen in 20 patients and changes in the bowel function was seen in 10 patients. The most common location of Tarlov cysts found in patients was sacral region 28(46.7%), lumbosacral region 24(40%) and lumbar region 8(13.3%). Conclusion: The study concluded that the frequency of female was more than male. And the most common site of Tarlov cyst was found to be at LV4-LV5 and LV5-level S1 exhibiting different clinical manifestation.