Hulens M, Bruyninckx F, Dankaerts W, Rasschaert R, De Mulder P, Stalmans I, Vansant G, Bervoets C. High Prevalence of Perineural Cysts in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Pain Med 2021;
22:883-890. [PMID:
33260218 DOI:
10.1093/pm/pnaa410]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Pain in fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is assumed to originate from central sensitization. Perineural cysts or Tarlov cysts (TCs) are nerve root dilations resulting from pathologically increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure. These cysts initially affect sensory neurons and axons in dorsal root ganglia and produce sensory symptoms (pain and paresthesia). Symptomatic TC (STC) patients often complain about widespread pain and fatigue. Consequently, STC patients may initially be diagnosed with FM, CFS, or both. The objective of this study was to document the prevalence of TCs in patients diagnosed with FM or CFS.
DESIGN
A retrospective study.
SETTING
An outpatient clinic for musculoskeletal disorders.
SUBJECTS
Patients diagnosed with FM according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria or with CFS according to the 1994 Centers for Disease Control criteria were selected.
METHODS
Review of lumbar and sacral magnetic resonance imaging scans including TCs ≥5 mm in size.
RESULTS
In total, 197 patients with FM, CFS, or both underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Ninety-one percent were women. The mean age was 48.1 (±11.9) years. TCs were observed in 39% of patients, with a mean size of 11.8 (±5.2) mm. In males, the prevalence was 12%, vs. 42% in females.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients diagnosed with FM or CFS, the prevalence of TCs was three times higher than that in the general population. This observation supports the hypothesis that STCs, FM, and CFS may share the same pathophysiological mechanism, i.e., moderately increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, causing irritation of neurons and axons in dorsal root ganglia.
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