Cauda equina syndrome is a common acute medical condition, usually caused by large degenerative disc herniation or metastatic lumbar disease. We describe a patient who presented with a lesion featuring both discal and tumoral characteristics.

A 41-year-old woman presented with ongoing back pain, progressive lower-limb weakness and sphincter disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a very odd-looking large anterior epidural lesion originating from the L3-L4 space and severely compressing the roots of the cauda equina. Partial surgical decompression was performed in emergency. At a later time, redo surgery was performed to maximize resection, and was unfortunately followed by several complications. After 6 surgical procedures including a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion and intensive rehabilitation, the patient could walk independently with the aid of one crutch. Following collegial review, the diagnosis of low-grade chondrosarcoma of the intervertebral disc was suggested.

We report on a very unusual and therapeutically challenging spinal tumor diagnosed as low-grade chondrosarcoma of discal origin, an entity never previously described.