Cavernous angioma is an uncommon vascular malformation of the central nervous system with a tumoural aspect. Spinal cavernous angioma mainly occurs within vertebral bodies; only 3 - 5% of tumours are located entirely in the vertebral canal. This case report describes a case of cavernous angioma, originating from the nerve roots of the cauda equina at the L1 level, in a 57-year-old woman presenting with acute lower back pain. The lesion was surgically resected 6 months after symptom onset and the structural integrity of the nerve root was maintained. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cavernous angioma. The patient experienced no postoperative neurological deficit or recurrence. The diagnosis, histopathological features and surgical treatment of this case are presented, together with a literature review of clinical details and surgical procedures undertaken in cases of cavernous angioma of the cauda equina.