A 52-year-old woman presented with a two-day history of lower back pain that was radiating into her left leg with weakness in that leg. She had a history of chronic back pain. Neurological examination revealed reduced power in her left leg of 3/5, but was otherwise normal.

Based on a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of her lumbosacral spine (image) what is the most likely cause of this woman’s back pain? Source: thebmj *This case is from Docplexus editorial team for educative purpose only