Evidence map›Paper›PMID 31079249›Full record

ReviewEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2019

Symptomatic Tarlov cysts are often overlooked: ten reasons why-a narrative review.

Mieke Hulens, Ricky Rasschaert, Frans Bruyninckx, Wim Dankaerts, Ingeborg Stalmans, Peter De Mulder, Greet Vansant

Abstract readReview
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
20citing papers in PubMed
3.2field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

20 citing papers in PubMed, 43 citations in OpenAlex.

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  13. [Reinforced radiculoplasty for the treatment of symptomatic sacral Tarlov cysts: A clinical analysis of 71 cases].Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences · 2023
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  18. The Michel Benoist and Robert Mulholland yearly European spine journal review: a survey of the "medical" articles in European spine journal, 2019.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2020
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  19. The Michel Benoist and Robert Mulholland yearly European spine journal review: a survey of the "surgical and research" articles in European spine journal, 2019.European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2020
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.

Mieke HulensMusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium. miekehulens@skynet.be.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2335-8772
Ricky RasschaertDepartment of Neurosurgery, AZ Rivierenland, Kasteelstraat 23, 2880, Bornem, Belgium.
Frans BruyninckxClinical Electromyography Laboratory, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
Wim DankaertsMusculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Unit, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, 3001, Heverlee, Belgium.
Ingeborg StalmansOphthalmology Research Group, Department of Neurosciences, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Peter De MulderDepartment of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Imelda Hospital, 2820 Bonheiden, Belgium.
Greet VansantDepartment of Social and Primary Health Care, Public Health Nutrition, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
KU Leuven · BEUniversitair Ziekenhuis Leuven · BEImelda Hospital · BESirris · BE

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTarlov cysts (TCs) are dilations of nerve roots arising from pathologically increased hydrostatic pressure (HP) in the spinal canal. There is much controversy regarding whether these cysts are a rare source of pain or often produce symptoms. The aim of this review was to identify the reasons that symptomatic TCs (STCs) are easily overlooked.

methodsThe literature was searched for data regarding pathogenesis and symptomatology.

resultsTCs may be overlooked for the following reasons: (1) STCs are considered clinically irrelevant findings; (2) it is assumed that it is clinically difficult to ascertain that TCs are the cause of pain; (3) MRI or electromyography studies only focus on the L1 to S1 nerves; (4) TCs are usually not reported by radiologists; (5) degenerative alterations of the lumbosacral spine are almost always identified as the cause of a patient's pain; (6) it is not generally known that small TCs can be symptomatic; (7) examinations and treatments usually focus on the cysts as an underlying mechanism; however, essentially, increased HP is the main underlying mechanism for producing symptoms. Consequently, STCs may relapse after surgery; (8) bladder, bowel and sphincter dysfunction are not inquired about during history taking. (9) Unexplained pain is often attributed to depression, whereas depression is more likely the consequence of debilitating neuropathic pain. (10) The recognition of STCs is subject to gender bias, confirmation bias and cognitive dissonance and unconscious bias in publishing.

conclusionThere are several reasons STCs are underdiagnosed, mostly due to persistent misconceptions and biases. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Indexed as

Diagnostic ErrorsMissed DiagnosisBiasElectromyographyHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingSpondylosisTarlov CystsChronic painIntracranial hypertensionMeningeal cystsTarlov cystsUnexplained pain

Identifiers

PMID31079249
OpenAlexW2944499476

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.