Acute paraspinal compartment syndrome as an unusual cause of severe low back pain

Abstract

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.