title: Acute lumbosacral plexopathy from gluteal compartment syndrome after drug abuse: a case report.
abstract: Acute lumbosacral plexus injury from gluteal compartment syndrome is extremely rare. Physicians should be aware of this diagnosis when examining patients with altered mental status, prolonged immobilization, and gluteal muscle compression. This case report presents a patient with acute complete left lumbosacral plexus paralysis and acute renal failure after gluteal compartment syndrome secondary to prolonged immobilization from drug abuse. Clinical examination, imaging of the pelvis, renal function, creatine phosphokinase, and urine myoglobin were indicative of gluteal compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Electrodiagnostic studies showed complete limb paralysis. Medical treatment and rehabilitation was administered. Renal function recovered within the 1st week; function at the proximal muscles of the left lower limb improved within 6 months, with mild discomfort on sitting at the buttock, foot drop, and sensory deficits at the leg and dorsum of foot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, General University Hospital of Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Evanthia A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mitsiokapa
authors.forename: Andreas F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mavrogenis
authors.forename: Andromachi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salacha
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tzanos
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology; D002081:Buttocks; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000209:etiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*