Abstract
BackgroundSpinal perineural Tarlov’s cysts (TCs) are considered incidental findings that occasionally might exert pressure upon nerve roots and correspond with patients’ signs and symptoms. Purpose of this meta-analysis is to deliver global incidence and characteristics (location, size, and shape) of TCs.MethodsFollowing PRISMA checklist, all major databases were searched by two authors for radiologic studies reporting incidence and morphologic features (location, size, and shape) of TCs. Anatomical Quality Assessment tool was applied for risk of bias evaluation. Meta-analysis of random-effects model was employed. Subgroup analysis for regional distribution, gender, sacral levels, age, correspondence with symptoms, and persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) were planned ahead.Results22 radiologic studies of level 3 evidence involving 13,266 subjects were included. Global pooled prevalence of TCs was 4.18% (95% CI 2.47–6.30). Mean pooled sagittal diameter was 11.86 mm (95% CI 10.78–12.93). Sacral cysts strongly prevailed over the other segments. Of the sacral, S2 level was the most common (46.7% [95% CI 29.4–60.5]). Geographically, the highest incidence was found in Europe (6.07% [95% CI 1.49–13.00]), followed by North America (3.82% [95% CI 0.49–9.44]), and Asia (3.33% [95% CI 1.52–5.75]). TCs were more common in women than in men (5.84% vs 3.03%, p < 0.001, test of homogeneity, χ2). Subjects with PGAD had incidence of 37.87% (95% CI 2.45–81.75). TCs in pediatric population are rare—0.53% (95% CI 0.02–1.51). 15.59% of TCs corresponded with symptoms.ConclusionsSpinal perineural (Tarlov) cysts are found in a minority of population. S2 level of the sacral bone is affected most frequently. There is female predominance. Correspondence with symptoms is seen in less than one-fifth of TCs. Studies with stronger evidence level are needed to corroborate the results. The purported high incidence in PGAD requires confirmation in case–control studies for the risk-ratio calculation.
Highlights
Spinal perineural Tarlov’s cysts are thought to be common radiological findings, often incidental and asymptomatic
In literature a varyingly wide range of incidence of Tarlov’s cysts (TCs) is reported, the present meta-analysis shows that mean global pooled prevalence is 4.27% and the confidence interval is relatively narrow
Sacral perineural cysts were the ones to be documented most consistently. It was a subject of controversy which sacral level is usually involved
Summary
Spinal perineural Tarlov’s cysts are thought to be common radiological findings, often incidental and asymptomatic. Spinal perineural Tarlov’s cysts (TCs) are considered incidental findings that occasionally might exert pressure upon nerve roots and correspond with patients’ signs and symptoms. Purpose of this meta-analysis is to deliver global incidence and characteristics (location, size, and shape) of TCs. Methods Following PRISMA checklist, all major databases were searched by two authors for radiologic studies reporting incidence and morphologic features (location, size, and shape) of TCs. Anatomical Quality Assessment tool was applied for risk of bias evaluation. The purported high incidence in PGAD requires confirmation in case–control studies for the risk-ratio calculation
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