Conservative treatment for lumbar compartment syndrome shows efficacy over 2-year follow-up: a case report and literature review

• Published in: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery Vol. 137; no. 9; pp. 1233 - 1238
• Main Authors: Kanaya, Haruhisa, Enokida, Makoto, Tanishima, Shinji, Hayashi, Ikuta, Tanida, Atsushi, Nagashima, Hideki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Case reports; College students; Compartment syndrome; Compartment Syndromes - diagnostic imaging; Compartment Syndromes - physiopathology; Compartment Syndromes - therapy; Conservative Treatment; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lumbosacral Region - diagnostic imaging; Lumbosacral Region - physiopathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Orthopedics; Paraspinal Muscles - diagnostic imaging; Paraspinal Muscles - physiopathology; Rhabdomyolysis; Trauma Surgery; Young Adult; Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome; Rhabdomyolysis; Spine; Conservative treatment
• ISSN: 0936-8051; 1434-3916
• DOI: 10.1007/s00402-017-2732-9

Background Since in all studies of conservative treatment of lumbar compartment syndrome the follow-up duration was less than 6 months, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions. Purpose To report a patient with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated conservatively over a follow-up period of 2 years. Study design This is a case report of a 23-year-old male college student with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated conservatively. Methods We report a case of a 23-year-old male college student with lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome who was treated conservatively. We repeatedly checked his physical examination, laboratory tests, lumbar compartment pressures, and magnetic resonance imaging, and surgical teams were readily prepared to operate should the patient’s condition worsen. To prevent complications of rhabdomyolysis, hydration and alkalization were performed. We followed him up to 2 years after discharge. Result Although the temporal changes on MRI up to the 1-year point, the patient continued to have no symptoms. Conclusions Conservative therapy can be recommended if rhabdomyolysis is under control.