Tarlov cysts are cerebral-spinal fluid filled  'perineurial' cysts along the sacral and lower lumbar nerve roots.

An MD’s story of her IC diagnosis reads just like so many others. In 1998, she suddenly had terrible burning urethral pain. She’d had urinary tract infections before, so she thought this was another one and took antibiotics...

Two Surveys were conducted by Dr. Roland Wong.  You can read the first survey results by clicking "2003 Survey Analysis".  The second survey was conducted over a five year period.  The results were published at the annual meeting of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons held at Orlando, Florida, September 20-25, 2008.  The results and analysis of the five year study are in the process of being incorporated into the website and will be available shortly. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Roland Wong, MSc, MD, FRCPC, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who donated his time working on both surveys but especially for the lengthy 5 year project.  Remarkably, he provided all the funds to maintain and analyze these surveys yet asked nothing in return.  We will not forget his unselfish concern for us.   

Treatment of Symptomatic Perineural (Tarlov) Cysts  

Donlin M. Long M.D., PhD. 
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland