Case 8-1972

Presentation of CaseA 66-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of back pain.Except for episodic headaches he had been well until five years previously, when hypertension was found. On the day before admission there was the abrupt onset of pain in the lumbar spine; during the night abdominal pain and vomiting occurred.The temperature was 36.8°C, the pulse 100, and the respirations 16. The blood pressure was 110 systolic, 65 diastolic.On physical examination the lungs were clear, and the heart normal. The abdomen was mildly distended but soft, and the bowel sounds were active; there was . . .