Gastric balloon: A rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy

BACKGROUND: Factors that are known to cause lumbar epidural venous plexus (EVP) engorgement include inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction, portal hypertension, vascular agenesis, morbid obesity, and/or hypercoagulable states. Here, we present a 32-year-old female admitted with the new onset of lumbar radiculopathy attributed to a gastric balloon causing compression of the IVC and engorgement of the EVP. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 32-year-old female was admitted with a left L5 radiculopathy. She had a history of morbid obesity and had undergone intragastric balloon insertion 4 months ago. The abdominal/pelvic CT documented an intragastric balloon producing a voluminous gastric mass with resultant compression of the IVC. The lumbar MRI showed the resultant marked multilevel engorgement of the lumbar EVP. Here, following balloon removal, the patient was immediately symptom free and remained asymptomatic over the next postoperative year. CONCLUSION: An intragastric balloon can produce a voluminous gastric mass that can result in IVC occlusion and engorgement of the EVP, leading to lumbar radiculopathy. Removal of the balloon results in immediate and permanent resolution of the compressive symptoms.