Journal List > J Korean Soc Surg Hand > v.20(2) > 1106512

Kim, Chung, and Kim: Idiopathic Compartment Syndrome of the Forearm

Abstract

Compartment syndrome is caused by elevated pressure in a restricted compartment. It typically occurs after fractures of the extremities and usually has an acute clinical progression. Chronic compartment syndrome is another relatively well known form, typically associated with forceful exercise. Also, there are various reports of compartment syndrome not associated with typical causes. However, reports on compartment syndrome with unknown etiology are rare and there has been none in Korean literature. We report a case of compartment syndrome with no recognizable cause, hence classified as idiopathic.

References

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Fig. 1.
Sagittal T2-weighted fat supression (A), sagittal T1-weighted (B), axial T2-weighted fat supression (C), axial T1-weighted (D) magnetic resonance image of the patient. The fat suppressed T2-weighted magnetic resonance image demonstrating increased signal of flexor muscle groups especially involving deep layer of entire forearm with dorsal bulging of interosseous membrane between ulna and radius and T1-weighted image shows similar signal intensity to that of normal muscle.
jkssh-20-59f1.tif
Table 1.
Etiology of compartment syndrome
Etiology
Trauma
  Fracture Most commonly, long bone fracture
  Soft tissue injury Crush injury
Atraumatic cause
  External compression Cast, dressing, burn eschar
  Bleeding Vascular damage, coagulopathy
  Increased capillary permeability Post ischemic swelling, eclampsia, burn, intra-arteral drug, frostbite, capillary leak syndrome
  Impaired circulation Deep vein thrombosis, diabetes mellitus
  Infection Infectious myositis
  Tumor Iatrogenic Surgery, contrast media
  Other rare cause Eosinophilic myositis, spontaneous muscle infarction
Idiopathic
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