A Traumatic Bilateral Anterolateral Compartment Syndrome and Subsequent small Bowel Obstruction in a Patient with Schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
A traumatic bilateral compartment syndrome is not widely reported. There is usually a precipitating event to cause compartment syndrome for example open and closed fractures, plaster of Paris application, burns and post-ischaemia reperfusion injury. This case confirms the need for a high index of suspicion for compartment syndrome in a patient presenting with bilateral leg pain, swelling and erythema as early diagnosis and urgent decompression by fasciotomy is of vital importance to preserve limb function and avoid complications.


METHODS
We wish to report the case of atraumatic bilateral anterolateral compartment syndrome in a 58-year-old Caucasian man with a medical history of schizophrenia. He presented to Accident and Emergency with bilateral leg pain, swelling and erythema with no preceding history of trauma. Initially he was treated for bilateral lower leg cellulitis with a late diagnosis of compartment syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the need for a broad differential diagnosis.
Department of Orthopaedics, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Arrowe Park Rd, Wirral, Merseyside, cH49 5PE. United Kingdom.
Benjamin Pal
BP
Kapur
Department of Orthopaedics, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Arrowe Park Rd, Wirral, Merseyside, cH49 5PE. United Kingdom.
Michael
M
Grant
Department of Orthopaedics, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Arrowe Park Rd, Wirral, Merseyside, cH49 5PE. United Kingdom.
Muthukrishnan
M
Ramakrishnan
adult; bilateral; compartmentsyndrome; fasciotomy