title: Acute exertional compartment syndrome in the setting of anabolic steroids: an unusual cause of bilateral footdrop.
abstract: Acute exertional compartment syndrome is the result of muscle ischemia within a tight fascial compartment. We report a 22-year-old boxer, with recent intake of anabolic steroids, who developed acute exertional compartment syndrome of the lower legs following an assault from which he had to run away. He presented with bilateral footdrop. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) were consistent with bilateral deep and superficial peroneal neuropathies, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated hemorrhagic necrosis of the pretibial muscles. This case illustrates that the differential diagnosis for footdrop includes not only central and peripheral nervous system and muscle causes, but also compartment syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. nathania_liem@wrh.on.ca
authors.forename: Nathania R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Liem
authors.forename: Pierre R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bourque
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Michaud
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000868:Anterior Compartment Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009431:Neural Conduction; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012420:Running; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents