Lumbar Epidural Varix Causing Radicular Pain: A Case Report and Differential Diagnosis of Lumbar Cystic Lesions

We report a case of a 36-year-old woman presenting with lumbar radicular pain caused by a lumbar epidural varix. Lumbar MRI revealed a cystic lesion in the ventral epidural space posterior to the right L4 body. Surgery was conducted and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an epidural varix. Lumbar epidural varices and other lumbar cystic lesions can commonly cause radicular pain. Physicians will benefit from increased awareness of epidural varices as a cause of lumbosacral radicular pain and the associated radiologic findings supporting differential diagnosis. In particular, careful interpretation of MRI scans may help ensure proper diagnosis of an epidural varix versus other cystic lesions.Level of EvidenceXX

Source: PMandR - July 10, 2018 Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research