Far Lateral Disc Herniation Imitating Nerve Sheath Tumor: Case Report

We present the case of a 57-year-old female with sciatica, paresis and paresthesia of the left leg. MRI obviously revealed an enlarged L3 nerve root with circumjacent gadolinium enhancement. Due to these findings a schwannoma was suspected. Operation was performed using a lateral approach. However, no nerve sheath tumor was encountered intraoperatively but a far lateral disc herniation exerting considerable pressure on the nerve root. Histopathological examination confirmed this diagnosis, and surgical resection resulted in complete relief. According to these findings, far lateral disc herniation should be considered as a differential diagnosis in case of an enlarged nerve root with marginal gadolinium enhancement.