Chronic lumbar extradural haematoma simulating disc syndrome.

Two patients presenting with a clinical picture of nerve root compression suggestive of the herniated disc syndrome are reported. In both the diagnosis proved to be chronic encapsulated extradural haematoma. Recognition of this entity at the time of surgical exposure should render the surgical dissection easier. The postoperative results in both were excellent. One of these patients was on chronic anticoagulant therapy and the unusual location and good prognosis of extradural haematoma in the lumbar spinal canal in such patients is emphasized. In the other, the haematoma developed after a minor back injury, which introduces medico-legal implications.