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Description of the Symptom
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This chapter describes pathology that may lead to lumbar pain, including thoracolumbar pain. Local causes of lumbar pain are defined as pathology occurring within anatomical structures posterior to the abdominal aorta. Remote causes are defined as originating from structures anterior to and including the abdominal aorta.
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Abdominal pulsating mass
Bilateral lower extremity pain/numbness or weakness
Bowel and bladder changes
First episode of back pain in individuals younger than age 20 or older than age 55
Pain at rest or at night
Previous history of cancer
Previous history of prolonged use of steroidal medication, diabetes, human immune deficiency virus, or organ transplant
Rapid progression of neurological symptoms
Recent significant trauma
Saddle anesthesia
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