A 68-year-old woman with low back pain and radicular symptoms was unable to straighten her leg due to severe pain. Low back pain and radicular symptoms first appeared 2 wk ago. The Lumbar computed tomography (CT) scan showed a mass lesion in the lung. Lumbar CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed metastases in the lumbar vertebral body. The severe radicular symptom could not be relieved by painkillers. Furthermore, this patient could not receive an invasive surgery due to poor general conditions. Previous medical history revealed no significant illnesses. Previous medical history revealed no significant illnesses. Low back tenderness, percussion pain and the straight leg raising test all yielded positive results. According to cell blood count results, the white blood cell count was increased (10.8 × 109/L) and the hemoglobin level was 157 g/L. Lumbar CT and MRI showed bone destruction in the L4 vertebrae. MRI revealed that the tumor had invaded the L4 vertebral body and was compressing the nerve root. Biopsy and histopathological examination of the L4 vertebrae revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma which probably originated from the lung.