Intracanalar lumbar neurinoma

Neurinoma are slow growing encapsulated tumors, coming from Schwann cells. They are a rare cause of low back pain, possibly with a radiating pain in the inferior limb. This case report describes the managing of a patient with right cruralgia without strength lost. The CT- scan had failed to highlight a lesion corresponding to the symptoms of the patient. A MRI was therefore realized, and was able to show a lumbar intradural tumor. The MRI signal of neurinoma is usually typical. However, in this case, the histo-pathological analysis has been necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The patient underwent laminectomy and tumor resection with nearly complete resolution of symptoms, excepting a right perineal hemihypoesthesia, probably corresponding to the location of the concerned nervous root. The MRI is the best method to explore cruralgia or a sciatica not responding to treatment, and without precipitating factor such as disc herniation explaining the symptoms.