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Review
. 2017 Jan 6:2017:bcr2016216602.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2016-216602.

Contained ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as cauda equina syndrome

Affiliations
Review

Contained ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm presenting as cauda equina syndrome

Serge A Engamba et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

This is the case report of a contained ruptured aortic aneurysm presenting with acute cauda equina syndrome. The patient was a 79-year-old man. A literature search revealed various unusual presentations of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), including femoral neuropathy, hip pain and others; however, there are no other reports of cauda equina-like syndrome. The present case is therefore another unusual presentation of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and reiterates the utmost importance of careful history taking and clinical examination. Abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden onset isolated lower limb neuropathies and or pain.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
MRI showing a capacious spinal canal on the patient.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT angiogram showing aortic aneurysm on the patient (coronal view).
Figure 3
Figure 3
CT angiogram showing aortic aneurysm on the patient (sagittal view).

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