Delayed presentation of compartment syndrome of the thigh secondary to quadriceps trauma and vascular injury in a soccer athlete.
BACKGROUND
Compartment syndrome isolated to the anterior thigh is a rare complication of soccer injury. Previous reports in the English literature on sports trauma-related compartment syndrome of the thigh are vague in their description of the response of thigh musculature to blunt trauma, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of high-risk features of compartment syndrome, vascular injury in quadriceps trauma, and the role of vascular study in blunt thigh injury.


METHODS
We present herein the rare case of a 30-year-old man who developed thigh compartment syndrome 8 days after soccer injury due to severe edema of vastus intermedius and large thigh hematoma secondary to rupture of the profunda femoris vein. MRI revealed "blow-out" rupture of the vastus lateralis. Decompressive fasciotomy and vein repair performed with subsequent split-skin grafting of the wound defect resulted in a good functional outcome at 2-years follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
A high index of suspicion for compartment syndrome is needed in all severe quadriceps contusion. Vascular injury can cause thigh compartment syndrome in sports trauma. MRI findings of deep thigh muscle swelling and "blow-out" tear of the vastus lateralis are strongly suggestive of severe quadriceps injury, and may be a harbinger of delayed thigh compartment syndrome.
Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. Electronic address: zell53@hotmail.com.
Moo Ing
MI
How
Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. Electronic address: puahkl@singnet.com.sg.
Puah Ken
PK
Lee
Department of Rehabilitative Medicine, University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Electronic address: vivien.tsw@hotmail.com.
Tan See
TS
Wei
Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore. Electronic address: david_chua@cgh.com.sg.
Chua Tai
CT
Chong
Acute compartment syndrome; Fasciotomy; Quadriceps injury; Soccer