Radicular compression by extradural spinal endometriosis. Case report.

The case of a 35 years old woman affected by endometriosis located inside the spinal canal in the extradural space at the level of the third left lumbar root, and developing through the corresponding foramen into the paraspinal muscles, is presented. The clinical aspect, radiological picture and surgical treatment are described. Pathogenesis is discussed on the basis of the literature. Furthermore it is stressed that only the histopathological examination gave the correct diagnosis and permitted the definitive hormonal treatment. To our best knowledge no comparable case has been published in the literature.