Abstract
We present the only case in English medical literature of a spinal neurofibroma misdiagnosed as a herniated disc using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This case presented with typical symptoms and radiological findings of a herniated disc. Intraoperatively, an abnormality was noted at the S1 nerve root sleeve. Further exploration revealed a spinal neurofibroma which was completely resected, resulting in an improvement in the patient’s symptoms. Currently, there is heavy reliance on MRI as a highly sensitive and specific tool used in the diagnosis of herniated lumbar discs. Although there have been occasional reports of misdiagnoses using MRI, there are no reported cases of a spinal neurofibroma being misdiagnosed as a herniated lumbar disc. Despite great advances in radiological diagnostic imaging, surgical surprises do still occur. Ultimately, instinct is still essential in intraoperative surgical decisions.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/2075-0528.1417
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 12(4), 522-525
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Lamki, T., & Ammirati, M. (2025). Spinal Neurofibroma Masquerading as a Herniated Disc: A case report. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 12(4), 522-525. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1417
MLA 9
Lamki, Tariq, and Mario Ammirati. "Spinal Neurofibroma Masquerading as a Herniated Disc: A case report." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 12, no. 4, 2025, pp. 522-525. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1417.
Chicago (author–date)
Lamki, Tariq, and Mario Ammirati. 2025. "Spinal Neurofibroma Masquerading as a Herniated Disc: A case report." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 12 (4): 522-525. https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.1417.
Harvard
Lamki, T. and Ammirati, M. (2025) 'Spinal Neurofibroma Masquerading as a Herniated Disc: A case report', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 12(4), pp. 522-525. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.1417.
Vancouver
Lamki T, Ammirati M. Spinal Neurofibroma Masquerading as a Herniated Disc: A case report. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;12(4):522-525. doi:10.18295/2075-0528.1417
IEEE
T. Lamki, and M. Ammirati, "Spinal Neurofibroma Masquerading as a Herniated Disc: A case report," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 522-525, 2025, doi: 10.18295/2075-0528.1417.