Open AccessAlkaptonuria: A rare cause of recurrent severe back pain in the emergency department
Author(s) -
Mohammed Zain Seidahmed,
MO Abdel Rahman,
Ahmad Salih Abdulhadi
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of emergency medicine, trauma and acute care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.27
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 1999-7094
pISSN - 1999-7086
DOI - 10.5339/jemtac.2012.19
Subject(s) - alkaptonuria , homogentisic acid , emergency department , medicine , sclera , back pain , ochronosis , calcification , low back pain , neck pain , surgery , dermatology , radiology , pathology , chemistry , biochemistry , alternative medicine , psychiatry
We report a 45 year-old male patient who presented to the emergency department of Hamad General Hospital with recurrent severe low back pain. Clinical examination revealed characteristic deposition of blue-brownish pigment in the sclera and ear. X-ray revealed diffuse intervertebral disc calcification. Alkaptonuria was suspected and the diagnosis was confirmed by detection of high levels of homogentisic acid in the urine