Redundant nerve root syndrome mimicking an intradural spinal cord tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND

The redundant nerve root (RNR) syndrome is a pathological condition in which the cauda equina develops into a severely flexed/tortuous spiral mass above a level of severe lumbar stenosis.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 70-year-old male presented with bilateral neurogenic claudication attributed to a MRI-documented intradural extramedullary lesion at the L1 level with severe adjacent level/inferior L2/3 stenosis. At surgery, intradural exploration at L1 revealed an edematous cauda equina consistent with the diagnosis of the RNR syndrome.

CONCLUSION

The RNR syndrome should be included among the differential diagnostic considerations when non-enhancing lesions are encountered above levels of marked lumbar stenosis.