Solvang, Calif. ? Michael Jackson was taken to an emergency room Sunday for treatment of a back problem that has plagued him throughout his molestation trial. He later left to the thunder of flashbulbs.

Jackson, accompanied by a bodyguard, arrived at the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital about five miles from his Neverland ranch about 2:30 p.m., spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said. “Mr. Jackson’s back has spurred up on him again,” she said. “It’s pretty serious. It was serious enough for him to come over here.”

Although Jackson wasn’t seen leaving the hospital, it was believed he departed shortly after 8 p.m. His aides had erected white scaffolding outside the emergency room entrance to block the view of photographers.