title: [Compartment syndrome of the legs and scurvy].
abstract: Old people living alone and in poverty are most at risk for developing scurvy, but the diagnosis may be missed unless the physician is aware of it. A 42-year-old immigrant living in poverty was treated surgically at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Montreal for a compartment syndrome of the leg. She had ecchymoses on the skin of the leg and an interstitial hematoma in both posterior compartments. Three weeks later, she was readmitted with more swelling in the leg, gingivitis, hemorrhagic folliculitis, petechiae and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Her response to vitamin C was remarkable and confirmed the diagnosis of scurvy.
authors.affiliation: Section d'orthopédie, hôpital Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, PQ.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Normandin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fowles
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D011203:Poverty; D012614:Scurvy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid
vernacular_title: Le syndrome des loges de la jambe et le scorbut.