Chronic back pain caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm: case report and review of the literature

Vertebral body erosion by a chronic contained rupture of thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm: systematic review and spine surgical recommendations

BACKGROUND

Vertebral body erosion (VBE) is commonly caused by neoplastic, inflammatory or infectious diseases: it can be rarely associated with aortic wall disorders, such as contained rupture of aortic aneurysm (CCR-AA). CCR-AA is a rare event consisting of less than 5% of all reported cases. This condition is easily undiagnosed, differential diagnosis may be challenging, and there is no consensus or recommendation that dictates guidance on management of spinal surgical treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a systematic review of literature of all cases of VBE secondary to CCR-AA to identify clinical, radiological, and surgical outcome characteristics with the aim of providing a basis for future research studies.

RESULTS

The search returned a total of 80 patients. All reported cases have a history of hypertension. In almost all cases the AA size reported was very high (mean diameter of 7.056 cm). The treatment of this condition involves various reported treatment strategies: a totally conservative approach, treatment of the aortic aneurysm through a minimally invasive endovascular procedure, or through open surgery and combined approach. Despite the wide variability in therapeutic strategy, the rate of good outcomes was 80%, relatively high.

CONCLUSIONS

''Back pain'' and pain along the vertebral column are such frequent complaints that unusual etiologies or serious and life threatening complications may be overlooked. In addition to the common traumatic and degenerative causes of back pain, AA must also be considered. A combined approach between vascular and spine surgery could be achieved without any increased risk.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient with low back pain

STUDY DESIGN

Resident's case problem.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this report was to describe (1) the clinical reasoning that led a clinician to identify an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a patient with low back pain requiring immediate medical referral, and (2) an evidence-based approach to clinical evaluation of patients with suspected AAA.

DIAGNOSIS

The patient was unable to identify a specific mechanism of injury for his low back pain, lacked aggravating/easing factors for his symptoms, and complained of night pain and an inability to ease his symptoms with position changes. While the patient's symptoms remained unchanged during physical examination of the lumbar spine and hip, abdominal palpation revealed a strong, nontender pulsation over the midline of the upper and lower abdominal quadrants. Due to concern for an AAA, the patient was immediately referred to his physician. Subsequent computed tomography imaging revealed a prominent AAA, which measured up to 5.5 cm in greatest dimension and extended from below the renal arteries to the bifurcation of the iliac arteries. The patient initially deferred surgical intervention but eventually consented 6 months later, after repeat computed tomography imaging revealed that the AAA had progressed to 6.7 cm in greatest dimension.

DISCUSSION

It is essential for physical therapists to be familiar with a diagnostic pathway to help identify AAA in patients presenting with apparent musculoskeletal complaints. Knowledge of the risk factors for AAA, understanding how to screen for nonmusculoskeletal symptoms, and a basic competence in abdominal palpation and how to interpret findings will help with the clinician's clinical decision making.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Differential diagnosis, level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2014;44(7):500-507. Epub 25 April 2014. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.4935.

[Chronic low back pain and abdominal aortic aneurysm]

Abdominal aortic aneurysm has a population prevalence of 2-5% and mortality in case of rupture of 80%. Up to 91% of cases is accompanied with low back pain, so it is important to include aortic aneurysm in the differential diagnosis of chronic low back pain. Low back pain is one of the most frequent reasons for consultions in Services Emergency Hospital Emergency and Primary Care Services, with an estimated 80% of population having spinal pain at some point in their lives, with 90% of them having a benign course.

High prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with chronic low back pain

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common symptoms in outpatient clinics, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is one of the causes of LBP. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of chronic LBP in patients with aortic aneurysm. The study included 23 patients with AAA and 23 patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA); all of them visited a regional center hospital in Akita, Japan. A total of 207 hypertension patients were also enrolled as a control. Chronic LBP was defined in patients who visited the orthopedic outpatient clinic for the LBP treatment for more than three months. The prevalence of chronic LBP in the AAA group (52.2%) was significantly higher than that in the TAA (17.4%, P < 0.05) or hypertension patients (11.6%, P < 0.01). The rate of a trigger point (TP) injection was significantly higher in the AAA group or the TAA group than that in hypertension patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the AAA and TAA groups. The TP injection represents an injection of local anesthesia to the low back muscles. We also evaluated the involvement of various factors in LBP caused by AAA, such as age, gender, blood pressure, the existence of dissection, and the maximum diameter of AAA, but none of them showed significant relationship to LBP. The prevalence of LBP is high in AAA patients, and doctors who treat chronic LBP should be aware of AAA as a potential cause of LBP.

Massive vertebral destruction associated with chronic rupture of infrarenal aortic aneurysm: case report and systematic review of the literature in the English language

STUDY DESIGN

Case report and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the specific features of a rare, life-threatening, clinical picture.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Vertebral erosion (VE) is rarely associated with contained rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The involvement of radicular nerves can mimic a discus hernia syndrome; eventually vertebral erosion induces isolated lower back pain. These features often lead to a delayed or wrong diagnosis of a life-threatening condition. Forty-two complete similar case reports have been published in the English literature since 1962. The most prevalent symptoms are low back pain and neurological signs due to compression of radicular nerves.

METHODS

A 73-year-old man presented to Vascular Surgery department complaining of continuous pain in the lumbar region during the previous 6 months. The duplex examination revealed a huge infrarenal aortic aneurysm with an undefined posterior wall. Spiral CT and MR scan confirmed the aneurysm and a scalloping of the second and third lumbar vertebral bodies.

RESULTS

A double-team intervention, vascular and orthopedic, consisted in aneurysm graft replacement; vertebral bodies excision and anterior and posterior spinal stabilization. Postoperatively the patient experienced reversible respiratory and renal failure and was discharged home in good health after 30 days.

CONCLUSION

The presence of aortic abdominal aneurysm is always to be considered in the evaluation of an elderly patient complaining lower back pain or lower limb neuropathy of recent onset, especially in the presence of a degenerative process of the spine.

Differential diagnosis of a patient referred to physical therapy with low back pain: abdominal aortic aneurysm

STUDY DESIGN

Resident's case problem.

BACKGROUND

A 38-year-old man with a history of chronic episodic low back pain (LBP) was referred to physical therapy by his physician.

DIAGNOSIS

Concerns ascertained from the patient's history included an insidious onset of unrelenting, deep, boring pain that was constant, irrespective of movements or posture changes, or time of day. In addition, the patient reported night pain and the inability to find relief in recumbent positions. The primary warning signs associated with the physical examination were unremarkable examination of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hip regions (symptoms not altered and minimal impairments detected), and a strong nontender, palpable pulse noted over the left lateral lumbar region, with the patient prone, and over the midline and left upper/lower abdominal quadrants, with the patient supine. Suspicion of the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm led the therapist to immediately refer the patient to an allopathic physician. The subsequent abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scanning revealed a 10-cm-diameter abdominal aortic aneurysm. The patient was immediately hospitalized and underwent surgical repair within two days.

DISCUSSION

LBP is the most frequent condition for patients seeking care from physical therapists in outpatient settings. The challenge for clinicians is to recognize patients in whom LBP may be related to underlying pathological conditions. A prompt referral of patients presenting with suspicious findings to the appropriate physician may lead to a more timely diagnosis, with the goal of minimizing or preventing morbidity and mortality.