Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture presenting as testicular pain.
We report the case of a 74-year-old man who presented to our emergency department with complaints suggestive of a urinary tract disease. After examination failed to reveal another etiology for his symptoms, antibiotic therapy was initiated and the patient was discharged. He returned the next day with worsening pain; he was reevaluated and given an injection to control his pain. Thirty seconds later, the patient was unresponsive and pulseless and died despite resuscitative efforts. Autopsy revealed a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Our case highlights the varied presentations of abdominal aortic aneurysm, which often go unrecognized, and the need to diligently search for this life-threatening affliction.
O'Keefe
K P
KP
Department of Emergency Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania 17822.
Skiendzielewski
J J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*