[An unusual cause of renal colic. An osteophytic spur of L3, surgically treated with success].

The authors report an unusual case of renal colic occurring in a 44-year-old docker. Intravenous urography showed right ureteral extrinsic compression by an osteophyte of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. After failure of medical treatment, the patient was operated with resection of the osteophyte. The postoperative course was uneventful with reduction of pain.