Symptomatic epidural pneumorrhachis, causing compression radiculopathy. A literature review and a case report of pneumorrhachis mistaken for a herniated disc

The aim of the study is to describe a clinical case of diagnosis and treatment of epidural symptomatic pneumorrhachis at the lumbar spine level. Materials and methods. A patient with a clinical picture of radicular pain in her left leg was treated at the university clinic of the Russian University of Medicine. The source of pain was determined by MRI and CT scan – the presence of an air (gas) cavity causing compression of the left spinal root L5. Results. The patient underwent pulsed neuromodulation of the left L5 spinal root. After the operation, the patient noted a complete regression of radicular pain in her left leg. Conclusion. Symptomatic extradural pneumorrhachis is a rare cause of compression radiculopathy. Interventional treatment can be an effective option for relieving radicular pain.