title: Recurrent spontaneous compartment syndrome of the thigh.
abstract: Acute comparment syndrome (ACS) is a surgical emergency, in which tissue pressure becomes greater than perfusion pressure leading to tissue ischaemia. It is typically a consequence of trauma. We present a case in which a patient suffers blunt trauma to the thigh, but develops ACS 2 years after this injury and consequently endures 10-episodes of ACS (no perciptating event or cause) in the same thigh over 10 years. On the 10th presentation the patient was found to have arteriovenous malformation on MR angiography which were embolised and the fasciotomy wound closed with a split-thickness skin graft. A thorough literature search deemed this case to be the first reported recurrent spontaneous ACS of the thigh. Prompt recognition and treatment of ACS is vital. Clinicians should thoroughly investigate such patients postoperatively and involve vascular/plastic surgeons and interventianal radiologist to provide optimum care and prevent recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, York Hospital, York, UK.
authors.forename: Lebur
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rohman
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, York Hospital, York, UK.
authors.forename: Sheung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, York Hospital, York, UK.
authors.forename: Saifullah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hadi
authors.affiliation: Royal Cornwall Hospital, Cornwall, UK.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maruszewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000071938:Fasciotomy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013848:Thigh / Q000098:blood supply*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*