Lumbar spinal nerve root cavernoma: A rare cause of Intradural extramedullary lesion – Case report

•Intradural Extramedullary (IDEM) lesions constitute about 70% of all spinal tumors. Meningioma, schwannoma and neurofibroma are the most common lesions arising in this plane. Cavernoma arising intradurally from a spinal nerve root is one such entity.•A 54 year old gentleman presented with clinical features of L4 radiculopathy and MRI was suggestive of spinal neurofibroma. During surgery a mulberry-like lesion arising from the intradural segment of spinal nerve root was visualized which was excised in toto with the patient showing good recovery postoperatively.•Intradural spinal nerve root cavernomas should be considered as a differential diagnosis when an IDEM is suspected, as early intervention offers significantly improved outcomes.•IDEM spinal nerve root cavernomas are rare and only about 60 cases have been reported in literature to date. Intradural Extramedullary (IDEM) lesions constitute about 70% of all spinal tumors. Meningioma, schwannoma and neurofibroma are the most common lesions arising in this plane. Cavernoma arising intradurally from a spinal nerve root is one such entity. A 54 year old gentleman presented with clinical features of L4 radiculopathy and MRI was suggestive of spinal neurofibroma. During surgery a mulberry-like lesion arising from the intradural segment of spinal nerve root was visualized which was excised in toto with the patient showing good recovery postoperatively. Intradural spinal nerve root cavernomas should be considered as a differential diagnosis when an IDEM is suspected, as early intervention offers significantly improved outcomes and prevents morbidity. Due to the rarity of the condition we were able to document just a single case which to an extent limits the ability to infer more information.