Tarlov cysts as a rare cause of voiding dysfunction

Abstract

Although largely regarded as incidental, asymptomatic findings on CT and MRI scans, Tarlov cysts have been reported to cause a variety of symptoms including radicular pain and sexual, bladder and/or bowel dysfunction. We present the case of a 66-year-old woman presenting with acute onset lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary retention secondary to large sacral Tarlov cysts, in order to highlight the value of CT and/or MRI in the work-up of women presenting with urinary retention, and increase awareness of Tarlov cyst disease as a rare cause of voiding dysfunction.