Scrotal pain as the presenting symptom of lumbar disc herniation: a report of 2 cases

Abstract

Study design: Case description.

Objective: To describe a treatable cause of scrotal pain associated with lumbar disc herniation

Summary of background data: Scrotal pain due to intraspinal compression of a sacral nerve root caused by lumbar disc herniation is probably very rare, as the literature contains only sporadic single case descriptions.

Methods: Two patients with isolated scrotal pain were analyzed. In both patients, a lumbar disc herniation was found. Lumbar discectomy was performed in both patients.

Results: Complete and persisting relief of the scrotal pain was obtained after lumbar discectomy.

Conclusions: Despite the absence of other symptoms or signs suggestive of nerve root involvement, lumbar disc herniation with intraspinal compression of a sacral nerve root seemed the most probable cause of the scrotal pain.