title: Isadore Max Tarlov (1905-1977) and the controversial Tarlov cyst: historical perspective.
abstract: Isadore Max Tarlov, an early neurosurgeon, made several important contributions to the field of spine surgery. He described sacral perineural cysts, now known as Tarlov cysts. Dr. Tarlov also introduced the knee-chest patient position to facilitate exposure and hemostasis in lumbar surgery. In addition, he developed the use of fibrin glue in nerve repair. His book on mechanisms of spinal compression was published in 1957. He published a book of essays titled Principles of Parsimony in Medical Practice that remains highly relevant in today's medical world.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health-Shreveport, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Subhas K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Konar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health-Shreveport, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Shyamal C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bir
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health-Shreveport, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Tanmoy K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Maiti
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health-Shreveport, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Papireddy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bollam
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, LSU Health-Shreveport, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nanda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000266:history*; D052958:Tarlov Cysts / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery*; D014481:United States
keywords: Isadore Max Tarlov; Tarlov cyst; perineural cyst; spinal injury