title: Spontaneous thigh compartment syndrome.
abstract: A young man presented with a painful and swollen thigh, without any history of trauma, illness, coagulopathic medication or recent exertional exercise. Preliminary imaging delineated a haematoma in the anterior thigh, without any fractures or muscle trauma. Emergent fasciotomies were performed. No pathology could be identified intra-operatively, or on follow-up imaging. A review of thigh compartment syndromes described in literature is presented in a table. Emergency physicians and traumatologists should be cognisant of spontaneous atraumatic presentations of thigh compartment syndrome, to ensure prompt referral and definitive management of this limb-threatening condition.
authors.affiliation: Trauma and Orthopaedics, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Sameer K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thati
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gozzard