A 55-year-old French man was admitted with acute retention of urine. Three days before admission he developed back pain, lower limb pain and weakness. He had last been in Nigeria 2 years previously. Schistosoma mansoni ova were identified on rectal mucosal biopsy. Our patient showed spontaneous clinical improvement. He was treated with Praziquantel and corticosteroids. The clinical manifestations of spinal schistosomiasis can be diverse, and there should be a high index of suspicion for all patients from endemic areas. Currently, praziquantel and corticosteroids are the drug of choice for Schistosoma mansoni infection.