Overview

The spine is made up of a column of 33 individual bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked atop one another from the base of the skull to the pelvis. The spinal cord is the nerve center of the body and passes through a tunnel formed by the stacked vertebrae called the spinal canal. It is made up of millions of nerve fibers that branch off to form nerve roots, which exit the spine through small openings on each side of the vertebra. The sacrum (base of the spine and between the hips) is made up of five vertebrae which have fused.

Tarlov Cyst Excision and Imbrication

This procedure is performed using computer navigation and minimally invasive techniques which decreases the size of the incision and therefore the risks associated with surgery. During the procedure, the nerve root sleeve enclosing the cyst is opened and the small membranes that are preventing the normal flow of cerebral spinal fluid are opened. The sleeve is then imbricated, meaning it is closed by overlapping the redundant edges. A dural patch Is applied to seal the spinal fluid.

Indication

This surgery is used to treat symptomatic Tarlov Cysts after verified relief from injections and/or failed alternative non- operative treatment.

Recovery

Recovery time varies from patient to patient. Since this procedure is minimally invasive, patients usually go home the same day (outpatient) and start physical therapy 2 weeks after surgery. Many patients return to work within 4- 6 weeks after this surgery.