- 期刊
- OpenAccess
Lower extremity acute compartment syndrome secondary to inferior vena cava thrombus: A case report
摘要
Introduction: Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) occurs when pressure within a muscle compartment builds to dangerous levels that exceed the perfusion pressure supplying blood to that compartment, which can lead to nerve and muscle tissue injury. It is uncommon to have an acute compartment syndrome suspected to be secondary to a clot of the inferior vena cava (IVC). Case Report: A 51-year-old female, without recent trauma presented to an outside hospital emergency department with symptoms of acute onset left lower extremity pain and swelling. She was admitted for ACS, and subsequently required emergent fasciotomy. While in a rehabilitation facility, she had worsening leg pain and presented to the hospital, where she was found to have an occlusive thrombus in her IVC that extended down to her lower extremities. It was later noted the anterior compartment of the patients left lower leg had become necrotic, and the patient could no longer dorsiflex her foot. After reviewing the report and outcome of the patient, it was concluded that she had developed compartment syndrome without any obvious instigating cause. Conclusion: It is important to have a low threshold and be vigilant for compartment syndrome in any patient presenting with suspicious symptoms, even patients who seem to have no history or related trauma typically associated with compartment syndrome.