A 44-Year-Old Man with Back Pain and Weakness.

Dobbs, John E; Krasne, Margaret D; Naik, Rakhi P; Francischetti, Ivo; Wu, Xiaojun; Melia, Michael · NEJM Evid · 2026

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

AbstractMorning Report is a time-honored tradition where physicians-in-training present cases to their colleagues and clinical experts to collaboratively examine an interesting patient presentation. The Morning Report section seeks to carry on this tradition by presenting a patient's chief concern and story, inviting the reader to develop a differential diagnosis and discover the diagnosis alongside the authors of the case. This report discusses the story of a 44-year-old man who sought evaluation for back pain and weakness. Using questions, physical examination, and testing, an illness script for the presentation emerges. As the clinical course progresses, the differential is refined until a final diagnosis is made.

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