Conus medullaris tumor co-existed with chronic low back pain: a case report and literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent global health issues, often attributed to degenerative lumbar conditions. However, it can occasionally obscure more serious pathologies such as spinal tumors. Conus medullaris syndrome (CMS), a rare and frequently underrecognized cause of chronic LBP, illustrates the consequences of delayed diagnosis and underscores the need for systemic improvements in early detection.

Case description

We present a 48-year-old female with a long-standing history of presumed mechanical LBP, whose progressive neurological decline was initially misattributed to autoimmune comorbidities. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ultimately revealed an intradural extramedullary tumor at T11-T12, confirmed intraoperatively as a schwannom

SUBMITTER: Ghaly RF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516399 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature