• de Boer NJ
• Knaap SFC
• De Zoete A

• Aged
• Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal
• Diagnosis, Differential

Clinical Features: A 74-year-old retired man consulted a doctor of chiropractic for chronic low back pain. The history and physical examination confirmed chronic sacroiliac and a lumbar facet dysfunction. After 5 weeks, the patient stated he had stomach cramps. After this, a more thorough abdominal examination was done. The doctor of chiropractic detected an enlarged pulsatile mass upon abdominal palpation.

Intervention and outcome: The patient was sent to the cardiologist and had successful surgery within weeks.

Conclusion: An abdominal aortic aneurysm has specific symptoms and associated risk factors. If known risk factors are present, a clinical examination needs to be carried out, even though sensitivity of the clinical examination may be low. It should be a differential diagnosis in every male patient older than 50 years with low back pain. In case of suspicion, the patient should be referred for advanced imaging.

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