07-02-2007, 07:08 AM
A 67-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 4 hours after the onset of severe midlumbar back pain. He is anxious, pale, and diaphoretic. His temperature is 37.1 C (98.8 F), blood pressure is 105/65 mm Hg, and pulse is 120/min. Examination shows no other abnormalities. X-ray films of the lumbar spine show degenerative disc disease with calcifications anterior to the vertebral bodies. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A
) Aortoiliac occlusion
B
) Herniated nucleus pulposus
C
) Lumbar discitis
D
) Lumbar strain
E
) Pyelonephritis
F
) Ruptured aortic aneurysm
G
) Spinal stenosis
A
) Aortoiliac occlusion
B
) Herniated nucleus pulposus
C
) Lumbar discitis
D
) Lumbar strain
E
) Pyelonephritis
F
) Ruptured aortic aneurysm
G
) Spinal stenosis