title: Abdominal compartment syndrome with massive lower-extremity edema caused by colonic obstruction and distention.
abstract: Abdominal compartment syndrome is a well-described condition in which increased intra-abdominal pressure causes various physiologic derangements with adverse effects on cardiac, pulmonary, and renal function. A patient presented with radiation-induced distal colonic obstruction, abdominal distention, and severe bilateral leg edema. We performed a diverting transverse loop colostomy as treatment for her obstruction. This resulted in massive, spontaneous diuresis with complete resolution of her lower-limb edema. Abdominal compartment syndrome due to colonic obstruction can contribute to the development of lower-extremity edema. Colon decompression with reduction of intra-abdominal pressure can lead to resolution of edema in this situation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Blevins
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Khanduja
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged