Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome Research Articles

Case Study: Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome in an Austere Military Environment.

The incidence of compartment syndrome of the lumbar paraspinal muscles is exceedingly rare. Approximately 24 hours following a high-intensity kettlebell swing workout, a 33-year-old Sailor presented to the medical department on board a forward deployed Wasp-class amphibious assault ship with increasing discomfort in his middle and lower back, and evidence of rhabdomyolysis. Discomfort quickly turned to unrelenting pain coupled with dorsal paresthesias and rigidity in the paraspinal muscles. He was taken emergently to the operating room, where his paraspinal muscles were released via fasciotomy. As a result of limited resources aboard the deployed ship, a negative pressure wound dressing was fashioned using the supplies available aboard the ship. Following 3 days of the negative pressure wound therapy, muscle bulging decreased substantially, and the skin was closed. After 4 weeks of physical therapy, he returned to full duty.

Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome after a Tug of War: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Compartment syndrome of the upper and the lower extremities is a well-known entity in emergency medicine and traumatology. However, compartment syndrome of the paraspinal musculature is a very rare cause of acute back pain and may be missed at presentation despite its clinical importance. Therefore, we present a case of paraspinal compartment syndrome embedded in an overview of the actual literature. A 21- year-old woman presented with acute back pain refractory to analgesia with opiates after a tug of war match. A CT-scan of the abdomen demonstrated paraspinal swelling and an MRI ruled out intra-spinal pathologies. A compartment measurement yielded a pressure of 135mmHg. Even though conservative treatment attempts are often described, an emergency fasciotomy was carried out. Further rehabilitation was uneventful. Nevertheless, the timing of fasciotomy in the paraspinal region is under discussion, especially due to very rare experiences. Even if surgery is delayed by more than 24 hours following symptom onset, favourable postoperative outcomes have been observed.

Acute Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome in an Unconscious Patient

Compartment syndrome can be a limb-threatening emergency that may require immediate intervention. It usually involves the extremities but any closed compartment of the body is susceptible to it. Paraspinal compartment extends on both sides of the spine. Prolonged lying on the back in unconscious patients leads to muscle edema which eventually leads to increase pressure in the compartment. Neurovascular comprise is a dreaded complication of compartment syndrome. Paraspinal compartment is a potential site of compartment syndrome particularly in unconscious patients and it requires prompt diagnosis, careful monitoring, immediate medical attention and even warranting surgical intervention in certain cases.

Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome-an Insidious Cause of Acute Back Pain.

Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome-an Insidious Cause of Acute Back Pain.

A Case of Acute Traumatic Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome

BackgroundCompartment syndrome is a life-threatening complication of traumatic injury, most commonly, direct trauma. Back pain is a common cause of visits to the emergency department (ED) and often is treated without imaging or diagnostic testing. Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare cause of acute back pain. Case ReportA 43-year-old woman presented to the ED after direct trauma to the lower back. Laboratory studies revealed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury, with examination findings and imaging consistent with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome. She was taken to the operating room for emergent fasciotomy. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?It is the job of the emergency physician to identify the red flags in history and physical examination that warrant further diagnostic testing. Early diagnosis and surgical consultation is the key in avoiding morbidity and achieving good outcomes in all forms of compartment syndrome.

Acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome: a systematic review.

While still a rare entity, acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome has an increasing incidence. Similar to other compartment syndromes, acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is defined by raised pressure within a closed fibro-osseous space, limiting tissue perfusion within that space. The resultant tissue ischaemia presents as acute pain, and if left untreated, it may result in permanent tissue damage. A literature search of 'paraspinal compartment syndrome' revealed 21 articles. The details from a case encountered by the authors are also included. A common data set was extracted, focusing on demographics, aetiology, clinical features, management and outcomes. There are 23 reported cases of acute compartment syndrome. These are typically caused by weight-lifting exercises, but may also result from other exercises, direct trauma or non-spinal surgery. Pain, tenderness and paraspinal paraesthesia are key clinical findings. Serum creatine kinase, magnetic resonance imaging and intracompartment pressure measurement confirm the diagnosis. Half of the reported cases have been managed with surgical fasciotomy, and these patients have all had good outcomes relative to those managed with conservative measures with or without hyperbaric oxygen therapy. These good outcomes were despite significant delays to operative intervention. The diagnostic uncertainty and subsequent delay to fasciotomy result from the rarity of this disease entity, and a high level of suspicion is recommended in the appropriate setting. This is particularly true in light of the current popularity of extreme weight lifting in non-professional athletes. Operative intervention is strongly recommended in all cases based on the available evidence.

Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome after Weightlifting: A Case Report

Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome after Weightlifting: A Case Report

Compartment syndrome of lumbar paraspinal musculature after percutaneous pedicle screw fixation

Background:Compartment syndromes have been reported in nearly every anatomical area of the extremities. Similarly, in the lumbar spine, there is a risk of a compartment syndrome following either direct or indirect injury to the paraspinal muscles. In this study, we present a case of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome after percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for a spine fracture.Case Description:A 27-year-old obese female sustained a fall and an L1 fracture. Her neurological examination was normal. She underwent a minimally invasive percutaneous posterior pedicle screw fixation from T12 to L2 to stabilize the L1 fracture. Postoperatively, the patient developed hypoesthesia in the back, and sterile serous wound discharge. Because of the persistent discharge, an open debridement was performed that revealed multiple cavities within the necrotic avascular paraspinal musculature. Once these were completely excised, the wounds healed uneventfully.Conclusion:Patients undergoing minimally invasive posterior thoracolumbar (TL) pedicle screw fixation can develop a compartment syndrome involving the TL paraspinal musculature. This case highlights the need for early consideration of a compartment syndrome when patients develop persistent sterile discharge after spine surgery. In this case, urgent decompression prevented any long-term sequelae.

Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome after Weightlifting: A Case Report

Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome after Weightlifting: A Case Report

Acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome: a case report and detailed literature review

The 17th case of acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome in the scientific/medical literature was presented in this study. We then review all 17 cases for demographic and clinical characteristics, in particular in terms of how they influence ultimate outcomes. All but one case occurred in a male, and most patients were less than age 40 (71%). Symptoms typically were precipitated by some athletic activity (59%), other causes were surgery (n = 4), drug abuse (n = 2), and direct trauma (n =1). Peak CPK values ranged from 5000 to 350,000 U/L. Ten patients ultimately achieved or were presumed to achieve full recovery, six had persistent low back pain several months later and one remained in renal failure. The only predictor of final outcome was the treatment given, with six of seven who underwent surgical fasciotomy and both patients administered hyperbaric oxygen experiencing full recovery, versus just two of seven treated conservatively (p = 0.03).

長時間の胡坐を契機に急性傍脊柱筋コンパートメント症候群，クラッシュ症候群を来した1例(A case of crush syndrome with acute paraspinal compartment syndrome caused by prolonged sitting in a cross–legged position)

要旨長時間の胡坐という静的な機序により急性傍脊柱筋コンパートメント症候群とクラッシュ症候群を発症した初めての症例を経験したので報告する。症例は27歳の男性で，基礎疾患に双極性障害と不眠症がある。新規に処方された向精神薬を服用後に胡坐での前傾姿勢で入眠し，13時間後に腰背部の激痛により同一姿勢のまま覚醒して当院へ搬送された。来院時ショック状態であり，下肢，鼠径部外側にそれぞれ発赤，腫脹を認め，腰背部の傍脊柱筋は両側ともに硬直がみられた。また，両下肢は完全麻痺であった。検査所見では横紋筋融解症，急性腎傷害，高カリウム血症，代謝性アシドーシス，ミオグロビン尿を認めた。単純CTでは下肢，臀部に加えて両側の多裂筋に低吸収域を呈し，MRI T2強調像でも同部位に高信号像を認めた。各筋区画内圧は下肢，多裂筋で上昇していたため，下腿，大腿に対する減張切開術後にICUへ入院した。第2病日に臀部への減張切開術を，第19病日に感染制御困難となったため右下腿切断術をそれぞれ施行し，転院時には両下肢は完全麻痺のままであった。

Acute Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome Related to Use of Proprietary Weight Loss Product, by a Patient with Sodium Channelopathy

Paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare cause of lower back pain that remains under-recognized and under-treated and which can result in prolonged and debilitating pain. We present the case of a young female with paramyotonia congenita due to sodium chanelopathy, who developed acute paraspinal compartment syndrome after ingestion of an ephedrine containing proprietary weight loss product. We highlight the challenges in diagnosis and management and review potential precipitating factors and mechanisms underlying the clinical features.

‘Growing mushroom on the back’ following minimally invasive spine fixation: The theory of iatrogenic compartment syndrome revisited

Abstract The authors report a case of lumbar para-spinal muscle herniation following percutaneous thoraco-lumbar pedicle screw fixation. This is suggested to be due to subclinical iatrogenic increase in the intra-compartmental pressure. The possibility of ‘Iatrogenic paraspinal compartment syndrome’ following minimally invasive spine techniques has been discussed previously by other authors. Nevertheless, no such case has been reported so far in the literature. The awareness of this potential complication might be helpful for spinal surgeons for early detection and management.

Excruciating Low Back Pain After Strenuous Exertion: Beware of Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome

BackgroundLow back pain is extremely common and usually a minor self-limiting condition. Rarely, however, it is a harbinger of serious medical illness. Paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare condition, but its timely recognition is important to allow adequate treatment. Case ReportA 16-year-old boy presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with severe low back pain, necessitating intravenous opioids. Laboratory results showed severe rhabdomyolysis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed diffuse edema and swelling in the paraspinal muscles. Aggressive fluid therapy was started but despite narcotic analgesia the pain persisted and creatine kinase (CK) levels increased. Compartment pressures of the erector spinae were found to be increased. The decision was made to proceed with bilateral paraspinal fasciotomies. Postoperatively, the patient noted immediate pain relief with rapid decrease of CK level. The patient is pain free and resumed running and swimming 3 months after admission in the ED. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?Although paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare condition, its recognition is of paramount importance to allow adequate surgical treatment, preventing muscle necrosis. Although back pain most often has a benign course, a careful history and physical examination in patients presenting with low back pain allows determination of “red flags.” Mandatory further diagnostic tests can identify underlying serious illness.

Poster 20 Acute Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome: A Diagnosis to Consider

Poster 20 Acute Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome: A Diagnosis to Consider

Perioperative Variations of the Intracompartmental Pressures of the Paraspinal Muscles

Study of the influence of thoracolumbar spinal surgery through a posterior approach to the intercompartmental pressure of the paraspinal muscles. To create waveforms according to the pressure variations up to 24 hours postoperatively and relate these measurements to independent parameters. The existence of a paraspinal anatomic compartment and a relevant compartment syndrome has been supported theoretically, proven experimentally, and confirmed in clinical cases. The perioperative variations of the intercompartmental pressures remain largely unknown. Five measurements were taken from both paraspinal compartments in each operated patient: preoperatively, intraoperatively, immediately after wound closure, and at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively. The recorded pressures were grouped as normal, elevated, or suggestive of a paraspinal compartment syndrome. Abnormal pressures were correlated with patient-related and operation-related parameters. Forty-two patients participated in the study, 21 male and 21 female patients aged 13 to 83 years (mean age 51 y). Seventy compartments were included in the final analysis. Forty-two compartments developed abnormally elevated pressures postoperatively and in 22 of these, pressures suggestive of a compartment syndrome were recorded. In no case was there a clinical presentation of a true compartment syndrome. Different waveforms were created for the normal and elevated pressures group. In compartments with high measurements, pressures were likely to continue to rise at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively. The body mass index was greater in both the elevated pressures and compartment pressures groups. Procedures lasting >2 hours, extended approaches, and instrumented posterior interbody fusion operations were related with lower postoperative pressures. A large percentage of patients develop increased paraspinal muscle pressures up to 24 hours after posterior thoracolumbar spine surgery. These increases are related to patient-related and operation-related factors and may not present clinically as a compartment syndrome.

Comment on Nathan et al.: lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome

1. S-T Nathan and his colleagues state that a PubMed search was conducted with the title query, lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome, which found ten articles. However, only six articles were found besides Nathan’s paper [1] when we performed the same search on September 19, 2012. 2. Was the search for articles thorough? First, two electronic databases (the PubMed and OVID Medical databases) were searched by the authors. But a PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane database search was done using the search strategy recommended by the Cochrane Back Review Group. Second, S-T Nathan and his colleagues only searched medical subject headings, keywords and the title “lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome”. Based on the above considerations, we think that the search for articles was not thorough. A search strategy report plays an important role in systematic reviews. Sampson et al. [2] considered that critical appraisal is impossible if the search strategy is not thoroughly reported in systematic review. 3. One author selected high yield abstracts and obtained full articles in Nathan’s review. According to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions [3], in order to reduce the bias, it is most important that the final selection and extraction of studies into the review are undertaken by more than one author. 4. The conclusion of the article showed that the basic trend is to surgically decompress the compartment to avoid long-term functional sequelae in other muscular compartments of the body. We suggest nonoperative treatment options are the first line of management for compartment syndrome. Diebal et al. [4] also suggested that an effective nonoperative management approach could eliminate these potential postsurgical complications for compartment syndrome.

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

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.

Acute exertional paraspinal compartment syndrome

Acute exertional paraspinal compartment syndrome

Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the available evidence on lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome with specific reference to patient demographics, aetiology, types, diagnosis, clinical features, and treatment. This was an Institutional Review Board-exempt study performed at a Level 1 trauma center. A PubMed search was conducted with the title query: lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome. Eleven articles met our search criteria. Three of the patients with acute paraspinal compartmental syndrome treated with fasciotomy had a full recovery and were able to resume skiing after four months. The aetiology of the onset of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is broadly divided into acute and chronic. Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is one of the causes of back pain with diagnostic clinical features which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with low back pain. Prospective multicentre trials may provide the surgeon with more insight into the diagnosis and management of lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome.