(084) PERSISTENT GENITAL AROUSAL DISORDER/GENITO-PELVIC DYSESTHESIA (PGAD/GPD) SECONDARY TO TARLOV CYST-INDUCED SACRAL RADICULOPATHY
Authors: Kim C , Goldstein I , Goldstein S W , Komisaruk B R , Kim N N , Yee A 
Published: June 2024

Introduction

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder/Genito-Pelvic Dysesthesia (PGAD/GPD) is characterized by persistent, unwanted genital arousal and/or other dysesthesia, including burning, itch and/or pain in the genito-pelvic area such as clitoris, vulva, perineal region and/or peri-anal region (pudendal nerve), umbilicus, urethra, bladder, vagina, and/or rectum (pelvic nerve) and also including the lower extremity buttock, thigh, calf, foot (sciatic nerve). Patients with PGAD/GPD are significantly bothered/distressed, and catastrophization and suicidal ideation are common. In 2012 Komisaruk reported that PGAD/GPD could result from Tarlov cyst-induced sacral radiculopathy. We developed a multidisciplinary step-care management algorithm with specialists in sexual medicine, spine surgery, sex therapy, physical therapy, and neurophysiology to diagnose and treat Tarlov cyst-induced sacral radiculopathy.

Objective

To utilize a multidisciplinary step-care management algorithm to identify PGAD/GPD patients with Tarlov cyst-induced sacral radiculopathy who could benefit from Tarlov cyst spine surgery and to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of the surgery.

Methods

Clinical data were collected on PGAD/GPD patients who underwent Tarlov cyst spine surgery between 2016 and 2020 with at least 1-year follow-up. The management algorithm used to identify and treat Tarlov cyst-induced sacral radiculopathy involves: detailed psychosocial assessment and medical history; non-invasive diagnostic assessments for sacral radiculopathy; sacral MRI with Tarlov cyst protocol; targeted diagnostic caudal epidural injection; and if appropriate, Tarlov cyst spine surgery using minimally invasive surgery techniques. Treatment outcome was based on the validated Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) measured at regular intervals post-operatively.

Results

Ten patients (8 women, 2 men), mean age 40 years (range 19-66), met inclusion criteria. Patients were discharged the same day or following morning post-operatively. No serious complications occurred. Follow-up was &gt;12 months (range 13-22 months). Seven (70%) patients reported post-operative clinical improvement on PGI-I at last follow up: two patients reported “very much better”, three patients reported “much better” and two patients reported “little better”. Two patients had no improvement. Only one patient was much worse, however we believe that the PGI-I score of 6 reflected the worsening of the PGAD/GPD condition and not specifically the result of the surgical procedure.

Conclusions

Distressing PGAD/GPD symptoms can be caused by Tarlov cyst-induced sacral radiculopathy. A multidisciplinary step-care management algorithm allows selection of appropriate surgical candidates. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest case series of patients with PGAD/GPD treated with Tarlov cyst spine surgery with at least 1 year follow-up. Using minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, spine surgery on the Tarlov cyst was associated with clinical improvement in 70% of select patients.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Elliquence.