Eur J Musculoskel Dis 2023 Jan-Apr; 12(1):15-19
CASE REPORT
LOW BACK PAIN: ALWAYS A NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEM? A CASE OF LERICHE SYNDROME IN A WOMAN
M. Bonetti1*, M. Frigerio1, G. Ottaviani2, G. Sabetta3, R. Degliuomini3 and S. Bonetti4
1Neuroradiology Department, Clinical Institute, Città di Brescia, Brescia, Italy;
2Emergency Department, Civil Hospitals of Brescia, Brescia, Italy;
3Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy;
4Gynaecological Department, Clinical Institute, Città di Brescia, Brescia Italy
*Correspondence to:
Matteo Bonetti, MD
Neuroradiology Department,
Clinical Institute, Città di Brescia,
Via Gualla 15, 25128 Brescia, Italy
e-mail: dottorbonetti@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Leriche syndrome is defined as a rare obliteration of the aortic bifurcation. It is characterized by a typical triad in male patients: claudication, erectile dysfunction and decreased distal pulses. The leading cause of this syndrome is atherosclerosis. Possible differential diagnoses include vascular and neurological diseases. We report a case of a 54-year-old woman whose main complaint was low back pain. The initial (wrong) diagnosis was spinal disc herniation, causing neuropathy. The use of computerized tomography led to the correct diagnosis: aortoiliac occlusive disease (Leriche Syndrome).
KEYWORDS: Leriche syndrome, atherosclerosis, aortoiliac occlusive disease, arteriopathy, low back pain, neuropathic pain