Alkaptonuria: A rare cause of recurrent severe back pain in the emergency department

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.