An unusual presentation of ruptured abdominal aorta aneurysm

Patient: Female, 65 Final Diagnosis: Ruptured abdominal aorta aneursym Symptoms: — Medication: — Clinical Procedure: After surgery the patient was discharged without sequelae Specialty: Surgery OBJECTIVE: Unusual clinical course BACKGROUND: Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is the most frightening and potentially life threatening complication of an abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA). Patients present with atypical symptoms such as abdominal or flank pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or shock. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old woman presented to our emergency department with gradually increasing left flank pain for 4–5 days. Her laboratory, radiologic, and physical examination revealed no significant pathology, so she was discharged, but 3 days later she was readmitted because her symptoms returned. Further research revealed a ruptured AAA and the patient was hospitalized for surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency physicians should keep in mind that AAA and its rupture can present with a wide range of symptoms that appear to be simple.