Article

Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome: Case Report and Critical Evaluation of the Literature

Authors:
To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.

Abstract

Background: Lumbar compartment syndrome is a recognized clinical phenomenon, despite receiving less attention as a clinical entity. Given its rarity, the definitive presentation, diagnosis, and management strategies are not completely agreed upon. Materials and methods: A literature search on PubMed of all case reports of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndromes was conducted. All case reports and reviews were analyzed for patient demographic data, presentation, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and clinical follow-up. Results: A total of 37 cases of lumbar compartment syndrome were identified. Overall, 91.9% occurred in men with an average age of 30.9 years. Weightlifting (n=18, 48.6%) and physical exertion (n=7, 18.9%) accounted for the majority of presentations. In all, 37.8% of cases occurred unilaterally. Creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were notably elevated. Compartment pressure was elevated with an average of 91.8 mm Hg (SD: 44.8 mm Hg). Twenty-two cases were treated operatively (59.5%) and 15 (40.5%) were treated nonoperatively. In total, 19/20 (95.0%) of cases treated operatively reported either resolution of pain or return to baseline activities without limitation, compared with 1/11 (9.1%) treated nonoperatively. This difference between the operative and nonoperative cohort was statistically significant ( P <0.0001). Conclusions: Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare, but well-documented clinical entity. In all, 67.5% of cases occurred after weightlifting or physical exertion. Overall, 40.5% of cases in the literature were treated nonoperatively. Per our analysis, there is a clinically and statistically significant difference in cases treated operatively versus nonoperatively (95.0% vs. 9.1%, P <0.0001).

No full-text available

Request Full-text Paper PDF

To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.

... A few cases have been linked to cocaine abuse, often associated with prolonged compression due to impaired consciousness. [2][3][4] We present what is, to our knowledge, the second reported case of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome in a patient who had consumed drugs, including cocaine and ketamine, shortly before its onset. ...
... Compartment syndrome of lumbar paraspinal muscles is a rare diagnosis, with only 40 cases reported to date. [1,2] The most commonly affected patients are male weightlifters, patients who have been lying for prolonged periods, such as postoperative patients and athletes. [2] The patients will nearly universally present with back pain but can also have accompanying numbness or lower limb pain, amongst other rarer presentations. ...
... [1,2] The most commonly affected patients are male weightlifters, patients who have been lying for prolonged periods, such as postoperative patients and athletes. [2] The patients will nearly universally present with back pain but can also have accompanying numbness or lower limb pain, amongst other rarer presentations. [2] The pain can be unilateral, but bilateral presentations are more common. ...
Article
Full-text available
Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare pathology, with only 40 reported cases resulting from an increase in pressure within the muscle compartment. Symptoms typically involve pain and sometimes muscular deficits. The typical patient is a man who has undergone strenuous exercise, with few cases linked to the use of recreational drugs, such as cocaine or ketamine. We report the case of a 25-year-old man presenting to the emergency room with severe diffuse back pain who had recently consumed large amounts of cocaine, ketamine, and alcohol. The patient had diffuse muscular pain, increased serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and a negative noncontrast abdominal computed tomography (CT), leading to the suspicion of crush syndrome. Over the following days, the patient’s pain became more localized to the right paraspinal region, prompting a contrast-enhanced CT. This revealed signs of muscle swelling and edema of the paraspinal muscle, leading to a suspicion of compartment syndrome, which was confirmed by an intramuscular pressure measurement. The patient underwent a surgical fasciotomy. The patient went on to have an unremarkable recovery. Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is exceedingly rare. Cocaine is known to cause rhabdomyolysis both indirectly, due to behavioral disturbances, and directly due to muscle toxicity. Similarly, ketamine use has also been associated with rhabdomyolysis. The rhabdomyolysis results in greatly increased CK levels, sometimes rising up to 100 00 U/L, which should normalize over the following days. A few cases of compartment syndrome, often localized in extremities, have been reported in patients presenting cocaine or ketamine-induced rhabdomyolysis. In this patient, the muscle swelling of the paraspinal muscle resulted in compartment syndrome. Patients who experience cocaine-related rhabdomyolysis have a tendency for nonspecific symptoms, which would match our patient’s initial presentation. Although radiology’s contribution to the diagnosis is limited, patients suffering from back pain or nonresolving rhabdomyolysis should be submitted to imaging, which may show signs of muscle swelling and edema on CT and magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnosis of compartment syndrome should be confirmed by measurement of muscle pressure, and if elevated, the patient should be proposed for fasciotomy.
... To date, there are no level 1 studies or strong recommendations for the treatment of paralumbar compartment syndrome. According to a recent systematic review, paralumbar compartment syndrome is common after patients participated in some sort of strenuous exercise, specifically high-intensity deadlifting-almost 50% of all case reports [2]. Patients diagnosed with paralumbar compartment syndrome appeared to present with similar symptoms, including low back pain with a focus of subjective decreased sensation over the lumbosacral region. ...
... These patients tend to be admitted for rhabdomyolysis or acute kidney injury and were initially treated with IV fluids, urine alkalization, and IV narcotic pain medication, with escalating narcotic requirements over time. Magnetic resonance imaging studies were obtained at some point during the patients' hospital stay, which shows a characteristic 'extensive edema in the paraspinal musculature' [2]. In light of these symptoms and findings, it is imperative for physicians to recognize the possibility of paralumbar compartment syndrome as a differential and promptly engage in consulting orthopedic surgery. ...
... Ilyas et al. recently published a systematic review comparing outcomes of the reported case reports of paraspinal compartment syndrome and found that despite the variable follow-up timing for these patients, most patients returned to pre-operative function with operative treatment [2]. One common theme found, including in this case report, that the patient felt immediate pain relief post-operatively. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Compartment syndrome is a well-known phenomenon that is most commonly reported in the extremities. However, paralumbar compartment syndrome is rarely described in available literature. The authors present a case of paralumbar compartment syndrome after high intensity deadlifting. Case presentation 53-year-old male who presented with progressively worsening low back pain and paresthesias one day after high-intensity deadlifting. Laboratory testing found the patient to be in rhabdomyolysis; he was admitted for intravenous fluid resuscitation and pain control. Orthopedics was consulted, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging revealed significant paravertebral edema and loss of muscle striation. Given the patient’s lack of improvement with intravenous and oral pain control, clinical and radiographic findings, there was significant concern for acute paralumbar compartment syndrome. The patient subsequently underwent urgent fasciotomy of bilateral paralumbar musculature with delayed closure. Conclusion Given the paucity of literature on paralumbar compartment syndrome, the authors’ goal is to promote awareness of the diagnosis, as it should be included in the differential diagnosis of intractable back pain after high exertional exercise. The current literature suggests that operative cases of paralumbar compartment syndromes have a higher rate of return to pre-operative function compared to those treated non-operatively. This case report further supports this notion. The authors recommend further study into this phenomenon, given its potential to result in persistent chronic exertional pain and irreversible tissue damage.
... In this review of conservatively treated cases, eight cases explicitly reported a return to normal function, while eight continued to experience symptoms related to the initial injury, and six cases did not specify the patients' recovery status. However, contrasting outcomes were observed in existing review studies advocating for surgical decompression, where the majority of PCS patients (19 out of 20) achieved full recovery and resumed normal activities following fasciotomy [12]. Given these findings, timely surgical decompression emerges as crucial in alleviating paraspinal compartment pressures. ...
Article
Full-text available
Introduction This review of case series and case reports explores conservative management strategies for paraspinal compartment syndrome (PCS), a rare clinical condition. Extremity compartment syndrome has been shown to be managed most effectively with emergent surgical release of the fascial compartment. Given the rarity of PCS and the paucity of research in the literature, some authors have suggested the possibility of conservative treatment. There has been no study to date that has specifically investigated the cases of non-operative management of PCS. Materials and Methods There are 16 case reports in the literature with 22 cases of PCS treated conservatively. The authors reviewed these cases, specifically viewing the clinical courses, why the decision was made to manage conservatively, and the reported outcomes. Results The etiology of PCS varied, with weightlifting being the primary cause in 11 out of 22 cases, followed by strenuous sporting events and postsurgical complications. All patients in this review were male, aged between 18 and 61 years old. Acute presentations exhibited severe back pain, rigid paraspinal musculature, and subjective paraspinal paresthesias. Magnetic Resonance Imaging findings of the spine revealed profound bilateral symmetric intramuscular edema. Among the cases, 8 explicitly reported a return to normal function, while 8 continued to experience symptoms related to the initial injury. Nine cases chose conservative measures primarily because of delayed presentation, seven instances reported successful outcomes with conservative measures; one case cited concerns about infection risk. Discussion The probability of underreporting related to PCS may result in a substantial number of cases being omitted from medical literature. Pathologically, PCS is characterized by increased intra-compartmental pressure, triggering rhabdomyolysis due to significant soft tissue damage. Emergent surgical intervention is the treatment of choice for any compartment syndrome; however, conservative management of these cases has shown satisfactory clinical outcomes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy emerges as a potential adjunctive treatment to enhance tissue viability, though its efficacy and accessibility warrant further investigation in the context of PCS management. Conclusion Early recognition and treatment of PCS are critical in preventing chronic pain and permanent complications. Given the limitations identified in non-operative management, further research is imperative to optimize treatment strategies.
... In addition to the lower extremity, which is the most common site where ACS is experienced, symptoms can also affect other locations. Cases have been described of patients who developed ACS after injuries to the feet, upper extremities, buttocks, trunk wall, back muscles or pelvis [11][12][13][14]. In children, most often fractures of the humerus and forearm bones lead to ACS syndrome, following which ACS localizes precisely in the upper limb in this age group. ...
Article
Full-text available
Lower lumbar paraspinal muscles constitute a compartment as they are surrounded by distinct fascial and bony boundaries. Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare entity, often caused by intense exercise, but also can be a postoperative complication. We present a 60-year-old man with low back pain, numbness in the left lower back and radicular pain in the left lower extremity, which started after a surgery that involved prolonged positioning on the left side 7 years before, and persisted to the day of evaluation. There was an immediate transient rise in the creatine kinase after surgery. Electromyography showed a left lower lumbar–sacral plexopathy and a lumbar spine MRI revealed fatty infiltration of the lower lumbar–sacral paraspinal muscles. The emergence of radicular lower limb pain was likely due to the compression of the proximal portion of lumbar–sacral plexus during the acute stage of rhabdomyolysis.
Article
Full-text available
Background Paravertebral compartment syndrome occurring without trauma is quite rare. We report a case of compartment syndrome that occurred after spinal exercises. Case presentation A 23-year-old Japanese rower developed severe back pain and was unable to move 1 day after performing exercises for the spinal muscles. Initial evaluation at a nearby hospital revealed hematuria and elevated creatine phosphokinase levels. He was transferred to our hospital, where magnetic resonance imaging revealed no hematoma but confirmed edema in the paravertebral muscles. The compartment pressure measurements were elevated bilaterally. Despite his pain being severe, his creatine phosphokinase levels were expected to peak and decline; his urine output was normal; and surgery was undesirable. Therefore, we opted for conservative management. The next day, the patient’s compartment pressure diminished, and his pain levels decreased to 2/10. After 5 days, he was able to walk without medication. Conclusions We present a rare case of compartment syndrome of the paravertebral muscles with good resolution following conservative management. We hope our case findings will help avoid unnecessary surgery in cases of paravertebral compartment syndrome.
Article
Full-text available
Background Acute compartment syndrome occurs when pressure within a compartment increases and affects the function of the muscle and tissues after an injury. Compartment syndrome is most common in lower leg and may lead to permanent injury to the muscle and nerves if left untreated. Methods 46 patients with acute compartment syndrome were enrolled, including 8 cases with serious complications, between January 2008 and December 2012. The protocols combining early management and the correction of deformities were adjusted in order to attempt to enable full recovery of all patients. Results All patients had necrotic muscles and nerves, damaged vascular, and severe foot deformities. In the early stage, each patient received systemic support and wound debridement to promote wound healing. For patients with serious complications, a number of medical measures, including installation of Ilizarov external frames, arthrodesis, osteotomy fusion, arthroplasty, or tendon lengthening surgery, were performed to achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes. All the patients resumed weight-bearing walking and daily exercises. Conclusion Acute compartment syndrome and sequential complications could be managed using a number of medical procedures.
Article
Full-text available
Background Compartment syndromes have been reported in nearly every anatomical area of the extremities. Similarly, in the lumbar spine, there is a risk of a compartment syndrome following either direct or indirect injury to the paraspinal muscles. In this study, we present a case of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome after percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for a spine fracture. Case Description A 27-year-old obese female sustained a fall and an L1 fracture. Her neurological examination was normal. She underwent a minimally invasive percutaneous posterior pedicle screw fixation from T12 to L2 to stabilize the L1 fracture. Postoperatively, the patient developed hypoesthesia in the back, and sterile serous wound discharge. Because of the persistent discharge, an open debridement was performed that revealed multiple cavities within the necrotic avascular paraspinal musculature. Once these were completely excised, the wounds healed uneventfully. Conclusion Patients undergoing minimally invasive posterior thoracolumbar (TL) pedicle screw fixation can develop a compartment syndrome involving the TL paraspinal musculature. This case highlights the need for early consideration of a compartment syndrome when patients develop persistent sterile discharge after spine surgery. In this case, urgent decompression prevented any long-term sequelae.
Article
Full-text available
Objective To report on a patient with acute paravertebral and posterior thigh compartment syndrome after vigorous exercise. Background Paravertebral compartment syndrome (PCS) is a rare clinical entity, typically occurring in male athletes after heavy exertion and weightlifting. Case A 25-year-old man presented with back pain and hematuria hours after back-specific weightlifting. Clinical examination, laboratory markers, MRI, and elevated intracompartmental pressure measurements supported the diagnosis of bilateral paravertebral and posterior thigh compartment syndrome. The patient underwent paravertebral decompression via the Wiltse approach with immediate postoperative relief. He is doing well at 1 year, with recovery of lumbar extension strength, although MRI demonstrates moderate fatty replacement of paravertebral musculature. Conclusions Although rare, early recognition of PCS and timely decompression can limit myonecrosis. Paravertebral compartment syndrome should be considered in the differential for athletic individuals with acute onset back pain. Study Design A case report and review of literature
Article
Full-text available
Background: Since in all studies of conservative treatment of lumbar compartment syndrome the follow-up duration was less than 6 months, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. Purpose: To report a patient with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated conservatively over a follow-up period of 2 years. Study design: This is a case report of a 23-year-old male college student with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated conservatively. Methods: We report a case of a 23-year-old male college student with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated conservatively. We repeatedly checked his physical examination, laboratory tests, lumbar compartment pressures, and magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical teams were readily prepared to operate should the patient's condition worsen. To prevent complications of rhabdomyolysis, hydration and alkalization were performed. We followed him up to 2 years after discharge. Result: Although the temporal changes on MRI up to the 1-year point, the patient continued to have no symptoms. Conclusions: Conservative therapy can be recommended if rhabdomyolysis is under control.
Article
Full-text available
Spinal cord ischemia remains the Achilles’ heel of thoracic and thoracoabdominal diseases management. Great improvements in morbidity and mortality have been obtained with the endovascular approach TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair) but this devastating complication continues to severely affect the quality of life, even if the primary success of the procedure – dissection/aneurysm exclusion – has been achieved. Several strategies to deal with this complication have been published in the literature over the time. Knowledge and technology have been evolving from identification of the risk factors associated with spinal cord ischemia, including lessons learned from open surgery, and from developments in the collateral network concept for spinal cord perfusion. In this comprehensive review, the authors cover several topics from the traditional measures comprising haemodynamic control, cerebrospinal drainage and neuroprotective drugs, to the staged-procedures approach, the emerging MISACE (minimally invasive selective segmental artery coil-embolization) and innovative neurologic monitoring such as NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) of the collateral network.
Article
Full-text available
Acute compartment syndrome (CS) of the paravertebral muscles without external trauma is rarely reported in literature. Not all of clinical symptoms for CS are applicable to the paravertebral region. A 30-year-old amateur rugby player was suffering from increasing back pain following exertional training specially targeting back muscles. He presented with hardly treatable pain of the lumbar spine, dysaesthesia of the left paravertebral lumbar region as well as elevated muscle enzymes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an edema of the paravertebral muscles. Compartment pressure measurement revealed increased values of 47 mmHg on the left side. Seventy-two hours after onset of back pain a fasciotomy of the superficial thoracolumbar fascia was performed. Immediately postoperatively the clinical condition improved and enzyme levels significantly decreased. The patient started with light training exercises 3 weeks after the operation. We present a rare case of an exercise-induced compartment syndrome of the paravertebral muscles and set it in the context of existing literature comparing various treatment options and outcomes. Where there is evidence of paravertebral compartment syndrome we recommend immediate fasciotomy to prevent rhabdomyolysis and further consequential diseases.
Article
Full-text available
An NCAA football player developed an acute paraspinal compartment syndrome after a weight-lifting strain. The patient presented with myonecrosis (CK up to 77,400 U/L), and myoglobinuria. Treatment consisted of forced diuresis and six sessions in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber.
Article
Full-text available
Exertional compartment syndrome has been described and implicated in pain syndromes involving several fascial compartments. This entity is classically characterized in the legs, feet and forearms of athletes. We describe a case of acute, severe exertional compartment syndrome of the paraspinal muscles in a young and healthy male ultimately resulting in significant rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. The rarity of the syndrome has prevented the establishment of specific guidelines for management; therefore, we will discuss this case in the context of similar previously reported cases, contrasting the various treatment approaches and outcomes described in previous reports. This discussion outlines a syndrome not commonly considered in the differential diagnosis of back pain.
Article
Full-text available
A 25-year-old male weightlifter felt increasing intractable low back pain during training but denied any acute injury. The physical examination, blood parameters, radiographs and MRI were unremarkable. He had been treated non-operatively by various means, with only temporary relief. The pressures in the lumbar paraspinal compartment were abnormally high and he was treated by surgical decompression. This gave rapid relief, he returned to training, and one year later the pain had not recurred.
Article
Full-text available
Case report: A 32-year-old African male presented with 10 hours of severe back pain. Initial computed tomography scan of the back showed no abnormality, and initial laboratory investigations were consistent with rhabdomyolysis. Despite stopping potential causative medications, aggressive intravenous hydration, and urine alkalinization, his creatinine kinase continued to steadily climb. Thirty-six hours after admission, a magnetic resonance imaging of his back was done because of new swelling over the right paraspinal muscles and loss of sensation in this region. Marked swelling of the right erector spinae muscles was observed, and right and left compartment pressure measurements were 108 and 21 mm Hg, respectively. He had urgent fasciotomy after which his rhabdomyolysis and pain recovered. Conclusion: Our case highlights the need for early consideration of compartment syndrome as a possible cause of back pain in the setting of rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis can present in the absence of late complications such as neurological and vascular compromise.
Article
Case: Acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome (APCS) is rare. This case report describes the clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of APCS in a young man after strenuous weight training. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the paraspinal muscles with fasciotomy 4 days after presentation and made a complete functional recovery at the 3-month follow-up postsurgery. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of MRI in facilitating the diagnosis of APCS and demonstrates that fasciotomy, even if delayed, can result in complete functional recovery. This supports current understanding that surgical fascial decompression is the preferred treatment over conservative measures for this condition.
Article
An acute paraspinal compartment syndrome (CS) is a rare condition and is only described in a few case reports. In our spine surgery department, a 16-year-old boy with severe low back pain due to a lumbar paraspinal CS. was treated with a paraspinal fasciotomy. After this case, we performed a cadaver study to determinate the compartment. The objective of this paper is to give a description of the anatomic lumbar paraspinal compartment and our surgical technique, a transmuscular paraspinal approach described by Wiltse and colleagues. The lumbar CS is most often seen in the lateral compartment where the erector spinae muscle, subdivided into the iliocostalis and the longissimus, is encased within a clear fascia. Lumbar paraspinal CS is a rare complication but should always be recognized. A thorough knowledge of the anatomy helps you to understand the clinical signs and start a correct treatment.
Article
Although compartment syndrome can occur in any compartment in the body, it rarely occurs in the paraspinal musculature and has therefore only been reported in a few case reports. Despite its rare occurrence, acute paraspinal compartment syndrome has been shown to occur secondary to reperfusion injury and traumatic and atraumatic causes. Diagnosis can be based on clinical examination findings, MRI or CT studies, or through direct measurement of intramuscular pressures. Conservative management should only be used in the setting of chronic presentation. Operative decompression via fasciotomy in cases of acute presentation may improve the patient’s symptoms and outcomes. When treating acute paraspinal compartment syndrome via surgical decompression, an important aspect is the anatomical consideration. Although grouped under one name, each paraspinal muscle is enclosed within its own fascial compartment, all of which must be addressed to achieve an adequate decompression. The authors present the case of a 43-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department with increasing low-back and flank pain after a fall. Associated sensory deficits in a cutaneous distribution combined with imaging and clinical findings contributed to the diagnosis of acute traumatic paraspinal compartment syndrome. The authors discuss this case and describe their surgical technique for managing acute paraspinal compartment syndrome.
Article
Background: Compartment syndrome is a life-threatening complication of traumatic injury, most commonly, direct trauma. Back pain is a common cause of visits to the emergency department (ED) and often is treated without imaging or diagnostic testing. Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare cause of acute back pain. Case report: A 43-year-old woman presented to the ED after direct trauma to the lower back. Laboratory studies revealed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, with examination findings and imaging consistent with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome. She was taken to the operating room for emergent fasciotomy. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: It is the job of the emergency physician to identify the red flags in history and physical examination that warrant further diagnostic testing. Early diagnosis and surgical consultation is the key in avoiding morbidity and achieving good outcomes in all forms of compartment syndrome.
Article
Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe current opinions of orthopedic trauma experts regarding acute compartment syndrome (ACS). Design: Web-based survey SETTING:: N/A PARTICIPANTS:: Active Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) members METHODS:: A 25 item web-based questionnaire was advertised to active members of the OTA. Using a cross-sectional survey study design, we evaluated the perceived importance of ACS, as well as preferences in diagnosis and treatment. Results: One hundred thirty-nine of 596 active OTA members (23%) completed the survey. ACS was felt to be clinically important and with severe sequelae, if missed. Responses indicated that diagnosis should be based on physical examination in the awake patient and that intracompartmental pressure testing was valuable in the obtunded or unconscious patient. The diagnosis of ACS with monitoring should be made using the difference between diastolic blood pressure and intracompartmental pressure (ΔP) of ≤30mmHg. Once ACS is diagnosed, respondents indicated fasciotomies should be performed as quickly as is reasonable (within 2 hours). The consensus for wound management was for closure or skin grafting within 1-5 days later, and skin grafting was universally recommended if closure was delayed to > 7 days. Conclusions: ACS is a challenging problem with poor outcomes if missed or inadequately treated. OTA members demonstrated agreement for many diagnostic and treatment choices for ACS. Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Article
While still a rare entity, acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome has an increasing incidence. Similar to other compartment syndromes, acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is defined by raised pressure within a closed fibro-osseous space, limiting tissue perfusion within that space. The resultant tissue ischaemia presents as acute pain, and if left untreated, it may result in permanent tissue damage. A literature search of ‘paraspinal compartment syndrome’ revealed 21 articles. The details from a case encountered by the authors are also included. A common data set was extracted, focusing on demographics, aetiology, clinical features, management and outcomes. There are 23 reported cases of acute compartment syndrome. These are typically caused by weight-lifting exercises, but may also result from other exercises, direct trauma or non-spinal surgery. Pain, tenderness and paraspinal paraesthesia are key clinical findings. Serum creatine kinase, magnetic resonance imaging and intracompartment pressure measurement confirm the diagnosis. Half of the reported cases have been managed with surgical fasciotomy, and these patients have all had good outcomes relative to those managed with conservative measures with or without hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These good outcomes were despite significant delays to operative intervention. The diagnostic uncertainty and subsequent delay to fasciotomy result from the rarity of this disease entity, and a high level of suspicion is recommended in the appropriate setting. This is particularly true in light of the current popularity of extreme weight lifting in non-professional athletes. Operative intervention is strongly recommended in all cases based on the available evidence.
Article
Compartment syndrome of the forearm is uncommon but can have devastating consequences. Compartment syndrome is a result of osseofascial swelling leading to decreased tissue perfusion and tissue necrosis. There are numerous causes of forearm compartment syndrome and high clinical suspicion must be maintained to avoid permanent disability. The most widely recognized symptoms include pain out of proportion and pain with passive stretch of the wrist and digits. Early diagnosis and decompressive fasciotomy are essential in the treatment of forearm compartment syndrome. Closure of fasciotomy wounds can often be accomplished by primary closure but many patients require additional forms of soft tissue coverage procedures.
Article
Background: Low back pain is extremely common and usually a minor self-limiting condition. Rarely, however, it is a harbinger of serious medical illness. Paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare condition, but its timely recognition is important to allow adequate treatment. Case report: A 16-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with severe low back pain, necessitating intravenous opioids. Laboratory results showed severe rhabdomyolysis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed diffuse edema and swelling in the paraspinal muscles. Aggressive fluid therapy was started but despite narcotic analgesia the pain persisted and creatine kinase (CK) levels increased. Compartment pressures of the erector spinae were found to be increased. The decision was made to proceed with bilateral paraspinal fasciotomies. Postoperatively, the patient noted immediate pain relief with rapid decrease of CK level. The patient is pain free and resumed running and swimming 3 months after admission in the ED. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare condition, its recognition is of paramount importance to allow adequate surgical treatment, preventing muscle necrosis. Although back pain most often has a benign course, a careful history and physical examination in patients presenting with low back pain allows determination of "red flags." Mandatory further diagnostic tests can identify underlying serious illness.
Article
Acute compartment syndrome is described as an elevation of interstitial pressure in a closed fascial compartment that can lead to damage of the microvasculature with subsequent tissue necrosis. Although paravertebral compartment syndrome has been described there is no case of paravertebral compartment syndrome that has been described in the pediatric population. We report the case of a 17-year-old boy who presented at our institution with severe, acute-onset low back pain that started shortly after a rigorous 4-hour workout. He was diagnosed with acute lumbar paravertebral compartment syndrome and underwent emergent fasciotomy with 2 more debridements.
Article
A significant proportion of emergency urological admissions are comprised of ureteric colic presenting as loin pain. A variety of alternative pathologies present in this manner and should be considered during systematic assessment. We report the case of a patient admitted with severe unilateral back and flank pain after strenuous deadlift exercise. Clinical examination and subsequent investigation following a significant delay demonstrated acute paraspinal compartment syndrome (PCS) after an initial misdiagnosis of ureteric colic. The patient was managed conservatively. We review the current literature surrounding the rare diagnosis of PCS and discuss the management options.
Article
This article discusses the etiology of SCI mechanisms that may lead to paraplegia during open and endovascular repair from an anatomical and physiological perspective as well as the role of various protective measures used in prevention of this dreadful complication of aortic surgery. There are many adjuncts that must be considered to reduce the risk of spinal cord injury, such as revascularisation of intercostal arteries, maintenance of high mean blood pressure, spinal cord drainage and a few new promising models like NIRS and MISACE which usefulness is yet to be determined. These measures and techniques as well as possible etiology mechanisms of SCI are discussed, highlighting the evidence available for each method, the practical ways in which they may be used, giving some new theories and explanations.
Article
This report describes a case of acute paraspinal compartment syndrome in a 25-year-old man. The diagnosis was significantly delayed, perhaps to some extent because of the rarity of the condition. The patient was managed with forced diuresis, analgesia and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The discussion addresses an unusual site for compartment syndrome and a diagnosis not commonly considered in the differential of low back pain. Treatment options are discussed and we review previous published case reports.
Article
The purpose of this study was to systematically review the available evidence on lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome with specific reference to patient demographics, aetiology, types, diagnosis, clinical features, and treatment. This was an Institutional Review Board-exempt study performed at a Level 1 trauma center. A PubMed search was conducted with the title query: lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome. Eleven articles met our search criteria. Three of the patients with acute paraspinal compartmental syndrome treated with fasciotomy had a full recovery and were able to resume skiing after four months. The aetiology of the onset of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is broadly divided into acute and chronic. Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is one of the causes of back pain with diagnostic clinical features which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with low back pain. Prospective multicentre trials may provide the surgeon with more insight into the diagnosis and management of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome.
Article
A case report and review of the literature. To report a rare case of paraspinal compartment syndrome that presented a diagnostic challenge. Paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare condition defined as increased pressure within a closed fibro-osseous space, resulting in reduced blood flow and tissue perfusion in that space. The reduced perfusion causes ischemic pain and irreversible damage to the tissues of the compartment if unrecognized or left untreated. A 20-year-old African-American man presented with 2 days of new-onset progressive back pain after repetitive lifting of 235 lbs in a deadlift exercise. The patient had significantly tender lumbar paraspinal muscles, was unable rise from a supine position, and had severe pain with attempted active rolling or sitting. Findings of supine radiographs were normal. Findings of initial laboratory investigations were consistent with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. Despite aggressive hydration and narcotic analgesia, the patient's creatinine kinase and myoglobin continued to rise and his pain continued to worsen. Computed tomography of the spine revealed enlarged paraspinal musculature and decreased enhancement bilaterally. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed increased T2 signal and paraspinal muscle edema with areas of decreased contrast uptake, consistent with ischemia and necrosis. Compartment pressures measured 78 mm Hg on the left and 26 mm Hg on the right. Because hydration and analgesia had failed, the patient was taken urgently to the operating room for bilateral paraspinal fasciotomies with delayed closure. His symptoms and rhabdomyolysis then resolved during the next 2 days. The diagnostic challenge presented by this case, especially considering the rarity of paraspinal compartment syndrome, indicates the need for a high index of suspicion in the appropriate setting.
Article
A 24-year-old man presented with severe low-back pain and paraspinal muscle spasm after exertion. Elevation in temperature, white blood cell count, serum muscle enzymes, and urine myoglobin, as well as computer tomographic evidence of paraspinal muscle edema and necrosis, were present. No etiology could be documented, and the possibility of an acute exertional compartment syndrome was entertained. Subsequently, cadaveric dis-sections indicated that the erector spinae muscles are contained within a well-developed fascial sheath. Continuous slit catheter pressure measurements within this compartment in eight healthy male subjects were subsequently carried out. These indicated a physiologic behavior similar to other known compartments for which compartment syndromes have been described. Variation in intracompartmental pressure occurred as a function of body posture, erector spinae isometric contraction, and active intra-abdominal pressurization. We suggest this patient had a paraspinal compartment syndrome and have described pressure characteristics of this compartment in normal men.
Article
Palpable rigidity of the epaxial (paraspinal) muscles, lordotic flattening, and spinal flexion accompanying back pain generally are ascribed to epaxial muscle spasm. However, palpable rigidity without muscle spasm occurs in compartment syndromes and epaxial muscle contractions extend the spine, increasing lordosis. Epaxial compartment syndromes are proposed as a possible cause of palpable rigidity, lordotic flattening, and spinal flexion accompanying idiopathic back pain. This article demonstrates the following: existence of an epaxial compartment by latex and dye injections; simulation of epaxial compartment syndromes in unembalmed cadavers by saline injections; and a "Bourdon tube effect" producing spinal flexion with lordotic flattening during epaxial compartment syndrome simulation in embalmed cadavers. In addition, resting and exercising epaxial compartment pressures were measured in 18 normal volunteers with a slit catheter.
Article
Spinal cord ischemia after operation on the abdominal aorta is a rare event that is attributed to variations in the spinal cord blood supply. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible causes of this devastating event. A survey of patients among the members of the Southern Association for Vascular Surgery was performed, and 18 patients were identified with spinal cord ischemia manifested by paraplegia or paraparesis after abdominal aortic operation. Preoperative computed tomographic, magnetic resonance, and aortographic results did not visualize the greater radicular artery (Adamkiewicz's artery) in any patient. Eleven patients underwent resection of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs): seven of these patients had tube grafts, three had aortobifemoral grafts, and one had an aortobiiliac graft. Five other patients underwent placement of aortobifemoral grafts, and one patient underwent aortobiiliac graft placement for occlusive disease. One patient underwent suprarenal AAA resection with an interposition graft to a previous aortobiiliac graft. The mean operative time was 3 hours and 39 minutes (range, 2 hours and 45 minutes to 6 hours and 30 minutes), with a mean aortic cross-clamp time of 48 minutes (range, 24 to 97 minutes). Sixteen aortic cross-clamps were placed infrarenally and two suprarenally (one in a case of ruptured AAA, the other a suprarenal AAA). Seventeen proximal anastomoses were end to end. The average minimum systolic blood pressure during the aortic cross-clamping was 96 mm Hg (range, 80 to 130 mm Hg). All the patients had internal iliac artery flow preserved with either prograde perfusion (10 patients) or retrograde perfusion (eight patients), and one patient underwent unilateral internal iliac artery ligation because of aneurysmal disease. One aortobifemoral-graft limb necessitated thrombectomy, but no cases of massive peripheral embolization occurred. When paraplegia was suspected after operation (6 to 20 hours after surgery), five patients underwent lumbar drainage. No clinical improvement was noted. Interference with pelvic blood supply from prolonged aortic cross clamping, intraoperative hypotension, aortic embolization, and interruption of internal iliac artery circulation have all been suggested as possible causes of spinal cord ischemia. In this survey, none of these factors proved to be significant as the sole cause of spinal cord ischemia. In the performance of an aortic operation with an end-to-end proximal anastomosis in the presence of severe external or internal iliac artery disease, there may be an increased incidence of spinal cord ischemia despite appropriate surgical techniques to ensure internal iliac perfusion. Spinal cord ischemia after abdominal aortic operations appears to be a tragically unpredictable, random, and unpreventable event.
Article
Case report. Lumbar paraspinal myonecrosis after abdominal vascular surgery. Lumbar paraspinal myonecrosis does not appear to have been reported previously. A patient who had severe back pain after abdominal vascular surgery was observed with computed tomographic scans and histologic examination of a specimen obtained in open biopsy. Computed tomographic scans of the lumbar region demonstrated muscle swelling of the unilateral paraspinal compartment. Histologic examinations of affected muscle revealed fresh ischemic necrosis. A compartmental syndrome was considered from the patient's clinical presentation and radiographic and histologic features. An accompanying secondary infection led to an extensive abscess in the paraspinal compartment. The patient resumed active daily life after aggressive débridements of infected and necrotic muscles. A compartmental syndrome in the paraspinal muscle should be kept in mind as a potential cause of acute back pain especially after abdominal vascular surgery.
Article
Acute tibial compartment syndrome is well known, whereas acute paraspinal muscle compartment syndrome is extremely rare.(1-4) Theoretically, compartment syndrome can occur in any compartment of the human body. We report good results from surgical decompression performed in a patient with acute lumbar paraspinal muscle compartment syndrome.
Article
Neurological complications such as paraplegia or paraparesis due to spinal cord ischemia has been an unpredictable, devastating event after infrarenal abdominal aortic surgery. The aim of our study is to focus the importance of this entity and in this connection to review the vascular anatomy of the spinal cord, incidence and etiology of spinal cord ischemia, methods of prevention, and management of the patient. Eight patients were identified with spinal cord ischemia manifested by paraplegia or paraparesis after 1331 abdominal aortic operations. All the patients who had spinal cord ischemia were examined for risk factors. Three anterior spinal artery syndrome neurological recovery occurred but 5 of them remained unchanged. Two patients died within 30 days of operation. Complete paraplegia due to ischemic spinal cord injury was thought to be caused by interruption of critical collateral blood supply to the spinal cord. For this reason avoidance of prolonged aortic cross clamp time, hypotension, and its associated low flow to the spinal cord, paying attention to prevent atheromatous embolization of Adamkiewicz artery and pelvic circulation can prevent this complication. If the greater medullary artery is anomalously low from the anatomic localization the blood supply of the cord may be inadequate, so this complication cannot be avoided.
Article
Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is an extremely uncommon condition that is known to occur after strainful exercise or trauma. We report on the original case of a 55-year-old man in whom lumbar paraspinal rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome developed after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, documented with technetium Tc(99m) bone scan and computed tomographic imaging, and in whom successful complete recovery was achieved with conservative management. Clinical features, pathophysiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of this unusual adverse event are discussed.
Article
Richard von Volkmann (1830-1889) of Leipzig was a leading surgeon whose interests in several areas greatly influenced the development of surgery in Germany during the middle of the 19th century. Among his original contributions was the recognition of ischemic paralysis and its cause. His original paper on the subject is presented here in translation-its first in English, I believe. Although he appears to have noticed it most frequently in fractures of the radius, in more recent decades it has been feared mostly in fractures about the elbow, especially after closed reduction. E.M.B.
Diagnostic techniques in acute compartment syndrome of the leg
  • Shadgan
Clinical practice : exercises in clinical reasoning back attack
  • Anaya
Paraspinal compartment syndrome—an insidious cause of acute back pain
  • Zyskowski