Late presentation of a ruptured iliac aneurysm to a trauma department

Abstract

Superficial posterior compartment syndromes are very rare. Clinically, diagnosis can be difficult because the signs and symptoms are less obvious than those of the anterior or deep posterior compartments. This case illustrates the importance of an awareness of this condition; we know of several similar cases where a torn muscle has been misdiagnosed as a deep vein thrombosis and the patient has been anticoagulated. This has caused further bleeding from the muscle giving rise to increased compartment pressure. This report serves as a good illustration that the compartments act as individual units and that pressure is not transmitted between them. Barnes M. R., Gibson M. J., Scott I. et al. (1985) A technique for the long-term measurement of intra-compartmental pressure in the lower leg. J. Biomed. Eng. 7, 35. Blandy J. P. and Fuller R. (I957) March gangrene. Ischaemic myositis of the leg muscles from exercise. J. Bone Joint Surg. 39B, 679. Kirby N. G. (/970) Exercise ischaemia in the fascial compartment of soleus. Report of a case. ]. Bone]oint Surg. 52B, 738. Mubarak S. J., Owen C. A., Garfin S. et al. (1978) Acute exertional superfidal posterior compartment syndrome. Am. ]. Sports Med. 6, 287.