Abstract
Non-traumatic lower back pain is a common complaint seen in all emergency department (ED) visits. For many individuals, episodes of back pain are self-limited, but rarely, back pain is a signal of serious medical illness. A 58-year-old male was admitted to our ED suffering from lower back pain with radiation to the lower legs. Examination found bilateral lower limbs weakness with numbness and weak dorsalis pedis pulse. This is the point which peripheral arterial disease was considered and contrast computed tomography scan of abdomen and pelvis was arranged. Enormous aortic bifurcation clots were seen. This patient was soon to recover from the illness after receiving transfemoral catheterization thrombolysis and stenting. Aortic saddle embolism is a rare case of spontaneous acute aortic occlusion which the embolus terminated and straddled at the aortic bifurcation, producing bilateral lower extremity arterial obstruction and led to serious hemodynamic and metabolic consequences. The objective in this report is to raise awareness about this potentially fatal condition. In addition, to emphasize the importance of a thorough assessment and expeditious treatment in order to prevent serious complications including limb loss and potential mortality.