After a punch: recurrence of compartment syndrome following minor trauma.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a diagnosis that requires high-clinical suspicion especially in cases when the initial causal event could be considered insignificant. We present a novel case presentation of ACS associated with minor trauma in a patient with a previous history of compartment syndrome in the same extremity from a motor vehicle accident 10 years prior to presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of recurrent ACS. Due to the possibility of significant morbidity, including loss of limb, it is imperative to recognize the presentation quickly so proper surgical intervention can occur. This case shows compartment syndrome can occur after a low impact mechanism of injury and previous compartment syndrome may be a risk factor, lowering the threshold for a re-occurrence. Serial exams and compartment pressure measurements should be used to aid recognition in ambiguous clinical presentations.

Tine after tine: a varied approach to the removal of a long-standing IVC filter.

Inferior vena cava filters are important tools used to help prevent life-threatening pulmonary embolisms in hospitalized patients with contraindications to pharmacological prophylactic anticoagulation. This is a case report of a patient who had an inferior vena cava filter placed after a traumatic subdural hematoma. He made a complete recovery but was lost to follow-up until he presented 1825 days after filter deployment with abdominal pain discovered to be from penetration of the filter tines outside the lumen and into adjacent structures. We describe a case complicated by fibrotic tine entrapment with penetration to surrounding structures and discuss the technical approach used to free and eventually remove the long-standing filter.

Spontaneous Rupture of the Uterine Artery in an Otherwise Normal Pregnancy.

Spontaneous rupture of a uterine artery in pregnancy is associated with a high rate of mortality. Although uterine artery rupture has been associated with postpartum hemorrhage, it is rarely found during pregnancy. Unfortunately, clinical signs and symptoms are usually vague and nonspecific. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman at 20 weeks gestation presenting with abdominal pain who was found to have a spontaneous uterine artery rupture. To our knowledge, this is the first case report demonstrating imaging findings in a patient with this condition. Our patient underwent successful ligation of the uterine vessel with preservation of both mother and fetus. We will discuss possible etiologies of uterine artery rupture during pregnancy, associated imaging findings, and management options.