Direct erosion of lumbar spine by an abdominal aortic aneurysm, resulting in paraparesis: unusual presentation. Case report.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a condition affecting nearly 4% of the elderly population. It has a potential for producing a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain and back pain. The latter is particularly difficult to interpret in patients with chronic rheumatological conditions, and delayed diagnosis may be associated with a poor outcome. We present a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic low back pain, who developed bilateral leg weakness and hesitancy of micturition, due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm invading the spine.
D000368:Aged; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000150:complications*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*