Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome (Gardner-Diamond syndrome) associated with cutaneous vasculitis

Autoerythrocyte sensitization syndrome (ASS) (Gardner-Diamond syndrome) is characterized by painful ecchymotic lesions affecting mostly women with emotional stress. Although it is widely accepted as a non-inflammatory disease, ASS can be accompanied by some autoimmune diseases. In this case report, we present a case with ASS associated with cutaneous vasculitis. We also briefly discuss the possible inflammatory features of ASS.     

Acute compartment syndrome of the limb

In this review the aetiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and therapy of the acute compartment syndrome of the limb is discussed. It is a limb- and untreated life threatening emergency. For good results, early detection is necessary. It is important to educate those taking care of patients of risk, especially in the early symptoms and signs. In uncooperative, unconscious and sedated patients pressure monitoring is recommended. The critical level of the absolute intracompartmental pressure is unclear. It is recommended to use a delta p pressure of 30 mm Hg. Below this pressure in the presence of clinical signs a fasciotomy of all compartments is the treatment of choice.     

Fasciotomy for chronic compartment syndrome in the lower limb

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the success of fasciotomy of lower limb compartments with elevated intra­compartment pressure. Methods: The present report is a retrospective cohort study at No. 3 Combat Support Hospital involving a survey and case note review of patients who had undergone fasciotomy for compartment syndrome at least 6 months earlier (December 1997?December2000). Results: Fourteen patients met the inclusion criteria. Eleven reported success with complete resolution of symptoms and return to military fitness levels. Two reported no change and significant residual symptoms. One reported worse symptoms and one required re‐operation with a successful result. Conclusion: Surgical decompression is the accepted treatment of compartment syndrome as proven by pressure manometry, after failure of conservative treatment.     

Acute anterior compartmental syndrome of the thigh following contusion. A case report and review of the literature

Contusion is a rare cause of acute compartmental syndrome in the thigh. To date, no case report has described blunt trauma precipitating this limb-threatening condition. The patient in this case report developed rapidly progressive signs and symptoms which required emergency fasciotomy. Delayed primary closure was possible and recovery was complete. The etiologies, diagnosis and management of thigh compartmental syndrome are reviewed.     

Compartment syndrome following total knee replacement:A case report and literature review

Compartment syndrome is a rare complication of total knee replacement(TKR) surgery that needs prompt diagnosis and treatment as it may be associated with high morbidity and mortality. We have found very few reports in the literature describing compartment syndrome after TKRs and therefore, present a relevant case which occurred in the immediate postoperative phase and was treated with fasciotomy and subsequent operations to close the soft tissue defects.     

地震灾害中挤压综合征伤员的早期处理与疗效分析

目的 探讨在地震灾害中挤压综合征伤员的早期处理方案及治疗效果.方法 对"5.12"四川大地震中收治的32例挤压综合征伤员的早期治疗方案及短期疗效进行分析.结果 1例伤员死亡,22例患肢行筋膜室切开减压术后感觉运动功能不同程度恢复,保肢成功;5例伤员行伤肢截肢手术;24例伤员实验室检验指标恢复正常,7例伤员实验室检验指标不同程度恢复.2例伤员切口感染,经治疗后感染控制.结论 地震灾害中挤压综合征伤员的早期处理对预后有重要影响及早行筋膜室切开减压及血液透析治疗能够有效降低死亡率,改善预后.     

挤压综合征诊治探讨

目的 探讨挤压综合征诊断和治疗的有效方法。方法 对6例挤压综合征患者依据病史、症状、体征及实验室检查结果进行诊断，并主要针对急性肾衰和局部创伤给予综合治疗。结果 3例完全治愈，1例基本治愈，1例因合并多脏器功能衰竭死亡，1例未坚持治疗自动离院。结论 以补液、利尿、血液透析和全身营养支持为主的综合治疗可很好地控制病情发展，促进转归，局部切开减压的依据是保守治疗无效、患肢巳有早期骨筋膜室综合征表现。     

经皮深筋膜切开减压治疗早期骨筋膜室综合征

目的：探讨治疗早期骨筋膜室综合征的方法和疗效。方法：在测压机监测下经皮切开深筋膜减压。结果：28例中25例减压效果良好，3例术后骨筋膜室压力逐渐增高而改用传统的广泛切开减压术治疗。结论：该方法操作简单，使用安全，是治疗早期骨筋膜综合征较好的手术方法。     

Acute Compartment Syndrome after Lower Leg Fracture

AbstractBackground: In acute situations, fasciotomy can be done prophylactically or as early therapeutic decompression, the latter being performed as soon as the first symptoms of compartment syndrome are present.Patients and Methods: Results of fasciotomy after lower leg fracture performed between 1992 and 2001 were reviewed with emphasis on the efficacy of treatment and morbidity of the procedure sec. Patients, divided into a prophylactic group (A) and a therapeutic fasciotomy group (B), were interviewed and examined, focusing on late sequelae of compartment syndrome and of the fasciotomy sec. Results: 52 patients were followed up after a median period of 40 months, 18 in group A and 34 in group B. All fractures in group A were operated within 24 h, one third of patients in group B underwent surgery later. In group A, one short foot syndrome was found. In group B, five amputations were performed for ischemic muscle necrosis, two short foot syndromes were observed, and five legs showed other late compelling signs of manifest compartment syndrome. In the 31 legs without sustained compartment syndrome, only seven had no fasciotomy-related abnormalities besides a scar; reduced endurance and swelling were most frequently found. An iatrogenic superficial peroneal nerve lesion was diagnosed in seven legs. Conclusion: Outcome after prophylactic fasciotomy seems to be superior to that after early therapeutic decompression. Though prophylactic fasciotomy is effective, its morbidity is quite high, with long-term consequences in three quarters of patients.     

Endovascular treatment for a spontaneous rupture of the posterior tibial artery in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Type IV: Report of a case

This report presents the case of a 27-year-old woman with a history of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Type IV (EDS-IV) who suffered from acute compartment syndrome caused by the spontaneous rupture of the posterior tibial artery. Bleeding control was achieved by endovascular embolization. A fasciotomy was successfully performed without any trouble with hemorrhaging. Endovascular treatment could therefore represent the ideal option for treating infrapopliteal lesions, particularly for EDS-IV patients.     

急性下肢缺血动脉再通后并发骨筋膜室综合征的诊治

目的：探讨急性下肢缺血动脉再通后并发骨筋膜室综合征的临床表现、早期诊治及预后。方法：回顾性分析2005年1月至2009年1月因急性下肢缺血在我科行动脉再通治疗后并发急性下肢骨筋膜室综合征病人的临床资料,包括发病原因、时间、治疗方式、治疗效果、骨筋膜室综合征的处理方法及预后。结果：126例病人因急性下肢缺血行动脉再通治疗,发病至再通时间平均为26h（3h至6d）,其中24例（共27条肢体）并发骨筋膜室综合征而行筋膜切开（包括3例行双侧肢体预防性切开）。21例动脉再通术后延迟切开时间平均为10（5—48）h,其中2例术中行血液透析,1例行术后血液透析。本组3例截肢,2例死亡（包括1例截肢）。结论：骨筋膜室综合征是急性下肢缺血动脉再通后的严重并发症,动脉再通后持续疼痛或疼痛加重伴局部张力升高者应高度怀疑为骨筋膜室综合征,其治疗方法是充分切开4个筋膜腔减压,同时动态监测病人电解质和肾功能指标,维持肾功能和内环境的稳定,必要时应早期进行透析。     

Arterial injury associated with acute compartment syndrome of the thigh following blunt trauma

BACKGROUND: Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare condition, and the basic causes of high pressure within a muscle compartment have been considered to be intramuscular haematoma and soft-tissue oedema. However, the importance of arterial injury has not been well recognized. METHODS: Among 3658 blunt trauma patients admitted to our Level 1 Trauma Centre between 1994 and 2001, there were eight patients (nine thighs) who had undergone emergency fasciotomy and these were the subjects of the present study. Arteriography of the proximal lower limb had been performed after the fasciotomy in patients with prolonged hypotension and persistent bleeding from the fasciotomy wound. RESULTS: All the patients had sustained high-energy trauma, systemic hypotension and local trauma to the proximal lower limb. Among them, four (five thighs) had undergone arteriography and four (four thighs) were confirmed as having sustained arterial injuries. In those patients with definitive arterial injuries, the time from injury to the onset of the compartment syndrome was less than 5 h. CONCLUSIONS: Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh in blunt trauma patients may be the result of associated arterial injuries. It is suggested that patients with local trauma to the proximal lower limb who exhibit an acute compartment syndrome together with haemodynamic instability should undergo arteriography soon after fasciotomy.     

Elastic tourniquet technique for decompression of extremity compartment syndrome

Compartment syndrome of the extremities is usually associated with direct trauma and often requires surgical fasciotomy to avert potential complications and morbidity. We present a case of upper extremity compartment syndrome resulting from pressurized infusion of autologous whole blood, in which fasciotomy was avoided by the application of a simple and effective technique using an elastic Esmarch bandage. Guidelines for surgical fasciotomy and the hazards associated with pressurized infusion of fluids in the anesthetized patient are discussed.     

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to iatrogenic hemorrhage. A case report

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common compression neuropathy of the median nerve. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome (aCTS) is rare, associated with a variety of conditions. In this case report we present a patient who developed aCTS and volar forearm compartment syndrome after a radial artery line placement, while receiving intravenous heparin. The patient underwent immediate forearm fasciotomy and surgical release for restoration of nerve function, which resulted in improved hand function and mild residual median nerve neuropathy. There is controversy whether to discontinue or not anticoagulation in a patient with aCTS. In our patient, heparin therapy was restarted on the second postoperative day.     

Acute Anterior Thigh Compartment Syndrome Revisited: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract We present a rare case of acute anterior compartment syndrome of the thigh in a rugby player with no history of trauma during the game. Decompressive fasciotomy with subsequent closure of the wound resulted in good outcome. Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh should be suspected following vigorous exercise and fasciotomy is to be performed on urgent basis.     

Spontaneous compartment syndrome in a patient with diabetes and statin administration: a case report

Compartment syndrome is a condition characterized by pressure increasing in the inextensible muscular compartments that leads to a decrease of capillary perfusion with consequent ischemic lesions of the logia elements. The authors report a case of an unusual compartment syndrome with spontaneous onset in a patient with type II diabetes and chronic therapy with statins (Atorvastatin). The condition was successfully treated by a fasciotomy and medical support. The importance of a correct anamnesis and a high level of suspicion is emphasized.     

Supraspinatus and infraspinatus compartment syndrome following scapular fracture

Acute compartment syndrome occurs when pressure within a confined fascial space rises to a level impairing microvascular perfusion to surrounding tissues.[1,2,3,4,5,6,7] The majority of the reported literature is based on lower extremity compartment syndrome, but any muscle group within an osteofascial compartment has the potential to develop compartment syndrome. We report a case of a 64-year-old male who developed an acute compartment syndrome of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus after sustaining a severely comminuted scapula fracture. Diagnosis of compartment syndrome was made after intracompartmental pressure measurements of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus revealed pressures within 30 mmHg of the diastolic blood pressure, prompting emergency decompressive fasciotomy. At final follow-up, the examination revealed full shoulder strength with near-full range of motion. There were no signs of sequelae from compartment syndrome at any point. Few case reports describe compartment syndrome of the periscapular fascial compartments. However, these cases were either retrospectively diagnosed[8,9] or diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and lab values.[9,10] Surgical management of acute compartment syndrome of the supraspinatus has been reported in only one other case.[10] To our knowledge, we report the only case of a patient with acute compartment syndrome of both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus compartments treated with emergent decompressive fasciotomy. Due to the devastating complications and functional loss of a missed diagnosis of compartment syndrome, a high index of clinical suspicion for developing compartment syndrome must be maintained in every fracture setting, regardless of anatomic location or rarity of reported cases.     

Well leg compartment syndrome after robotic prostatectomy: a word of caution

Compartment syndrome of the lower extremity is a rare complication that can occur following prolonged surgery in the lithotomy position. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who developed compartment syndrome in the post-operative period after radical robotic prostatectomy. Four-compartment fasciotomy helped prevent serious sequelae from the injury. Young males with a high body mass index undergoing prolonged surgery in the lithotomy position are particularly at risk for developing this complication. The early diagnosis and implementation of preventive measures will facilitate timely management.     

Acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome: a systematic review

While still a rare entity, acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome has an increasing incidence. Similar to other compartment syndromes, acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is defined by raised pressure within a closed fibro‐osseous space, limiting tissue perfusion within that space. The resultant tissue ischaemia presents as acute pain, and if left untreated, it may result in permanent tissue damage. A literature search of ‘paraspinal compartment syndrome’ revealed 21 articles. The details from a case encountered by the authors are also included. A common data set was extracted, focusing on demographics, aetiology, clinical features, management and outcomes. There are 23 reported cases of acute compartment syndrome. These are typically caused by weight‐lifting exercises, but may also result from other exercises, direct trauma or non‐spinal surgery. Pain, tenderness and paraspinal paraesthesia are key clinical findings. Serum creatine kinase, magnetic resonance imaging and intracompartment pressure measurement confirm the diagnosis. Half of the reported cases have been managed with surgical fasciotomy, and these patients have all had good outcomes relative to those managed with conservative measures with or without hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These good outcomes were despite significant delays to operative intervention. The diagnostic uncertainty and subsequent delay to fasciotomy result from the rarity of this disease entity, and a high level of suspicion is recommended in the appropriate setting. This is particularly true in light of the current popularity of extreme weight lifting in non‐professional athletes. Operative intervention is strongly recommended in all cases based on the available evidence.     

Compartment syndrome after acute rupture of the peroneus longus in a high school football player: a case report

We report the case of a young athlete who sustained an inversion injury to his ankle and presented several hours later with leg pain out of proportion to the injury. Pressure measurements suggested a lateral compartment syndrome and he underwent an emergency fasciotomy. The case is described and recommendations for diagnosis and treatment are given. Acute compartment syndrome of the lower extremity is an orthopedic emergency. Expedient release by emergent fasciotomy can minimize the likelihood of serious consequences such as myonecrosis and ischemic contracture. Most commonly, compartment syndrome is the result of acute high-energy trauma and typically is managed by the orthopedic traumatologist.