Abstract
BackgroundHoffmann’s syndrome is a rare form of hypothyroid myopathy. Only a few cases of fasciotomy in this setting have previously been reported.Case presentationA 41-year-old Caucasian man under treatment for hypothyroidism presented with acute-onset severe pain in his forearm for no obvious reason and was admitted to our emergency room. He eventually developed compartment syndrome which necessitated surgical decompression. Soon after surgery he complained of similar symptoms in his calves. By the time his hypothyroid status was confirmed, conservative treatment and orally administered levothyroxine gradually made the pain from his calves disappear, without further surgical treatment.ConclusionHoffmann’s syndrome may precipitate a compartment syndrome in the absence of trauma.
Highlights
An acute compartment syndrome of the forearm usually occurs as a result of trauma or ischemia
We present a case in which a patient developed a compartment syndrome of his forearm for no obvious reason
In contrast to previously published cases, the compartment that was affected in this case report was the dorsolateral compartment of the forearm, whereas the patients in previous reports all presented with compartment syndromes of tibial compartments
Summary
An acute compartment syndrome of the forearm usually occurs as a result of trauma or ischemia. We present a case in which a patient developed a compartment syndrome of his forearm for no obvious reason. 3 months after he had discontinued thyroxine hormone replacement therapy completely, he found himself being examined in the emergency unit because of acute severe pain in his right forearm.
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