Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma causing acute compartment syndrome of the forearm: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract

Acute compartment syndrome of the forearm has multiple etiologies affecting patients of all ages, but is most commonly caused by fractures, penetrating trauma, drug abuse, crush injuries and intravenous infiltration. Less common etiologies include tourniquet use, hemophilia, snakebites, phlebitis, burns, and postsurgical issues [1–8]. Tumors, while well-documented as an etiology of abdominal compartment syndrome [9], are an extremely rare cause of compartment syndrome in the upper or lower extremities. Herein, we describe the case of an acute forearm compartment syndrome caused by alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. This is followed by a review of the surgical literature on tumors as an etiology of forearm compartment syndrome and subsequent wound management.