Pneumococcal sepsis presenting as acute compartment syndrome of the lower limbs: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency requiring immediate fasciotomy. Spontaneous onset of acute compartment syndrome of the lower limbs is rare. We present a very rare case of pneumococcal sepsis leading to spontaneous acute compartment syndrome.


METHODS
A 40-year-old Caucasian man presented as an emergency with spontaneous onset of pain in both legs and signs of compartment syndrome. This was confirmed on fasciotomy. Blood culture grew Streptococcus pneumoniae.


CONCLUSIONS
Sepsis should be strongly suspected in bilateral acute compartment syndrome of spontaneous onset.
Doddi
Sudeendra
S
Department of General Surgery, Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough Common, Orpington, Greater London, BR6 8ND, UK. tasneemtarun@hotmail.com.
Singhal
Tarun
T
Sinha
Prakash
P