title: Back pain as the presenting symptom of generalised tetanus.
abstract: Back pain is a common presenting symptom in emergency departments and primary care across the UK. The extensive differential diagnosis includes mechanical, infective, thoracic, abdominal and vascular causes. This case report describes a patient who presented with lower back pain with a rare diagnosis, which is becoming more common in certain population groups, and emphasises the importance of clinical skills and insuring adequate tetanus prophylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, UK. simpson_j78@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inglis
authors.forename: M W G
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D003422:Critical Care; D004630:Emergencies; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013742:Tetanus / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013848:Thigh