Resection and imbrication of symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic Tarlov cysts are extremely rare, and there is no consensus regarding their optimal surgical management. Here, we encountered a patient with a symptomatic sacral Tarlov cyst and reviewed the appropriate literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 40-year-old male presented with right lower extremity pain and hypoesthesia in the right S2 dermatome. The lumbosacral MR demonstrated a right S2 Tarlov cyst compressing the S2–S3 perineural sheaths. After the patient underwent microscopic cystectomy with obliteration of the subarachnoid connection to the cyst, the patient's symptoms resolved. Here, we reviewed our operative approach, and others proposed in the literature for the surgical management of these lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we present a 40-year-old male who was symptomatic from a right S2 Tarlov cyst compressing the S2–S3 perineural sheaths and successfully underwent microscopic cystectomy with obliteration of the subarachnoid connection. Additionally, the appropriate Tarlov cyst literature was reviewed.