Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) - a case of delayed diagnosis

Abstract

Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) is a potential limb and life-threatening complication following trauma. ACS is characterised by increased pressure within a defined fascial compartment which diminishes perfusion pressure, leading to local tissue ischaemia. Timely diagnosis of ACS is crucial to prevent serious complications or irreversible damage which may lead to amputation or death. Even though the most common aetiology for ACS is major trauma, routine examination for ACS is rarely ennforced in patients with minor trauma or soft-tissue injuries which puts patients at risk of a detrimental delay in treatment. Trauma nurses and other clinicians should therefore avoid relying solely on specific clinical presentations to detect or suspect the development of ACS. This paper will present a case of ACS with an unusual presentation, and critically evaluate the diagnostic challenges of ACS in atypical presentations.