Calcifications in anterior lumbar spine = atherosclerosis in abdominal aorta, a risk factor for AAA. Acute onset pain indicates rupture or impending rupture. BP can be low-normal due to tamponade by retroperitoneal location of abdominal aorta.
note: calcifications in anterior lower thoracic spine = chronic pancreatitis
medpsychosisJust a clarification: It is anterior TO the lumbar spine or anterior TO the lower thoracic spine. These calcifications are not in the spine itself.+
Older patient with sudden onset back pain unrelated to activity with signs of blood loss (pale, tachycardic, diaphoretic) who also has calcifications anterior to vertebral bodies on X-ray (aorta sits just anterior to vertebral bodies)
submitted by โmedicalmike(82)
Calcifications in anterior lumbar spine = atherosclerosis in abdominal aorta, a risk factor for AAA. Acute onset pain indicates rupture or impending rupture. BP can be low-normal due to tamponade by retroperitoneal location of abdominal aorta.
note: calcifications in anterior lower thoracic spine = chronic pancreatitis