Perineural Injection Therapy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome Refractory to Initial Compartment Release: A Case Report.

This is a case of a 26-year-old active duty male with a 1-year history of distal anterolateral leg pain and numbness which would persist following activity cessation. He was referred to physical therapy and eventually orthopedic surgery for bilateral anterior exertional compartment syndrome and underwent bilateral anterolateral fasciotomies. One year after surgery, he continued to have pain along the posterior aspect of his lower legs with residual numbness over his left dorsomedial foot. He was referred to sports medicine for further evaluation and Botox injections without significant symptomatic changes. He subsequently underwent diagnostic ultrasound of his lower legs which showed multiple entrapment points of the left superficial peroneal nerve along the fasciotomy scar. An additional electrodiagnostic study showed left superficial peroneal sensory mononeuropathy. Eighteen months following surgery, he received his first perineural injection therapy (PIT) treatment. A mixture of lidocaine and D5W was prepared to achieve 1 mg/cc which was then injected along his tibial, saphenous, and sural nerves. Following four PIT sessions, the patient's overall lower extremity pain, weakness, and functionality had improved. This case demonstrates potential benefit with PIT in patients with refractory symptoms following surgery for chronic exertional compartment syndrome. These symptoms may be due to chronic irritation of cutaneous nerves and they may benefit from treatment with PIT. Our case may represent a possible paradigm shift in the conservative treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome, especially when refractory to surgical compartment release.

Compartment syndrome of the leg after thyroid hormone withdrawal; two cases and a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Acute compartment syndrome is a rare complication of severe hypothyroidism. If the symptoms are not recognized promptly and treatment initiated immediately, there is a high risk of permanent damage. Only few other cases of compartment syndrome due to hypothyroidism have been published and the exact pathophysiological mechanism remains unknown. CASE PRESENTATIONS: A 59 year old male developed acute compartment syndrome of his right lower leg after thyroid hormone withdrawal prior to radioiodine remnant ablation after total thyroidectomy for follicular thyroid cancer. He underwent emergency fasciotomy of all four compartments of the lower leg. The muscle tissue in the anterior and lateral compartment was necrotic and was therefore excised. The second patient was a 62 year old female with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, who developed acute compartment syndrome of both lower legs after thyroid hormone withdrawal due to non-compliance. Emergency fasciotomy of all four compartments of both legs was performed. The muscle tissue was viable in all compartments. CONCLUSION: Although compartment syndrome due to hypothyroidism is uncommon, it is a complication physicians should be aware of. The majority of reported cases are caused by an acute withdrawal of thyroid hormones and not by undetected hypothyroidism. No previous case of compartment syndrome caused by an iatrogenic hormone withdrawal in preparation for radioactive iodine has been published. However, as shown in this report, it may be beneficial to inform patients of this rare complication prior to hormone withdrawal in preparation for remnant ablation after thyroidectomy.

Ultrasound-Guided Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: A Case Report.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is characterized by an excessive increase in intracompartmental muscle pressures after exercise. Athletes with CECS report pain, pressure, and occasionally neurologic symptoms in the affected compartment during exercise that abates with rest. Although many treatment options have been proposed, athletes often require a fasciotomy to return to unrestricted sports participation. Surgical success rates vary; complications are not uncommon; and after surgery, it usually takes athletes 6 or more weeks to return to unrestricted impact activities. This case report describes a new ultrasound-guided fasciotomy technique for the treatment of anterior leg compartment CECS. The procedure required a 3 mm incision, was performed in the office under local anesthesia, and allowed the athlete to resume running within 1 week of the procedure. Although the preliminary results of this study are promising, further translational research is required before the widespread adoption of this procedure is recommended.

Return to sports after chronic anterior exertional compartment syndrome of the leg: Conservative treatment versus surgery.

AIM: To evaluate whether surgical treatment for anterior chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) of the lower leg will lead to full athletic activity recovery compared to conservative treatment. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with anterior CECS of the leg were offered surgical treatment, as surgery considered today to be the mainstay of treatment. Patients unwilling to be treated surgically were treated conservatively. They were followed up, assessing both groups for pain, functional status, and the Tegner sports activity score with comparisons at diagnosis and following treatment. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were treated for CECS (31; 72.1% with surgery and 12; 27.9% conservatively) with a mean follow-up of 28.15 (4.16-54.09) months. Reported pain improved at follow-up by 1.59 (0-6) points and by 4.27 ± (0-10) points in the conservatively and the surgically treated patient groups, respectively ( p = 0.014) with a mean change in the Tegner score of 0.09 (-5 to 5) and 3.22 (-4 to 7), respectively ( p = 0.009). Three patients in the conservatively treated group (25% of 12) and 24 patients in the operated group (77.4% of 31) reported full resumption of their pre-diagnosis activity level ( p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study supports surgery as the treatment of choice for anterior CECS of the leg with differential benefit for fasciotomy in terms of pain and return to pre-diagnosis athletic activity.

A cadaveric model of anterior compartment leg syndrome: Subcutaneous minimally invasive fasciotomy versus open fasciotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Because of disabling sequelae of open fasciotomy in anterior compartment syndrome (ACS) of the leg, we wanted to describe and validate a cadaveric model of ACS. We hypothesized that, first, anterior compartment syndrome (ACS) could be reproduced in cadaveric leg and, second, fasciotomy without complete skin incision could lower the intramuscular pressure (IMP) in an equivalent range to complete dermatofasciotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lower limb ACS was reproduced by progressive injection of physiologic serum in the anterior compartment of 23 fresh frozen cadaveric legs with monitoring of IMP, in order to reach a maximal stabilised IMP higher than 30mmHg. Subcutaneous minimally invasive fasciotomy was performed on 14 legs through 5 transversal mini-incisions of the skin (2cm) along the axis from the tibial tuberosity to the posterior aspect of the lateral malleolus. Standard open fasciotomy of the anterior compartment was performed on the remaining 9 legs as control. IMP was measured after the skin incisions and after every fasciotomy through skin incisions in the first group and after skin and fascia incisions in the control group. RESULTS: A maximal IMP of 43±2mmHg was obtained by injection of 177±9ml physiologic serum into the anterior compartment of the leg. In the control open fasciotomy group, the skin incision alone did not lower IMP significantly, whereas fasciotomy lowered IMP to 10±1mmHg, which is statistically different from maximal IMP (p<0.001). In the subcutaneous fasciotomy group, complete fasciotomy lowered significantly the IMP to 11±4mmHg (p<0.001), without statistical difference with the control group. DISCUSSION: This cadaveric model is effective to reproduce the hyperpressure encountered in ACS. In this model, IMP release after fasciotomy is as efficient through minimally invasive subcutaneous incision as with control open fasciotomy. This in vitro technique appears as an attractive alternative treatment in anterior compartment syndrome of the leg. It should be tested in the other compartments of the leg and its in vivo feasibility in acute conditions has to be clarified. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, control laboratory study.

Exercise-induced leg pain in athletes: diagnostic, assessment, and management strategies.

The purpose of this review is to describe and critically evaluate current knowledge regarding diagnosis, assessment, and management of chronic overload leg injuries which are often non-specific and misleadingly referred to as 'shin splints'. We aimed to review clinical entities that come under the umbrella term 'Exercise-induced leg pain' (EILP) based on current literature and systematically searched the literature. Specifically, systematic reviews were included. Our analyses demonstrated that current knowledge on EILP is based on a low level of evidence. EILP has to be subdivided into those with pain from bone stress injuries, pain of osteo-fascial origin, pain of muscular origin, pain due to nerve compression and pain due to a temporary vascular compromise. The history is most important. Questions include the onset of symptoms, whether worse with activity, at rest or at night? What exacerbates it and what relieves it? Is the sleep disturbed? Investigations merely confirm the clinical diagnosis and/or differential diagnosis; they should not be solely relied upon. The mainstay of diagnosing bone stress injury is MRI scan. Treatment is based on unloading strategies. A standard for confirming chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is the dynamic intra-compartmental pressure study performed with specific exercises that provoke the symptoms. Surgery provides the best outcome. Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) presents a challenge in both diagnosis and treatment especially where there is a substantial overlap of symptoms with deep posterior CECS. Conservative therapy should initially aim to correct functional, gait, and biomechanical overload factors. Surgery should be considered in recalcitrant cases. MRI and MR angiography are the primary investigative tools for functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome and when confirmed, surgery provides the most satisfactory outcome. Nerve compression is induced by various factors, e.g., localized fascial entrapment, unstable proximal tibiofibular joint (intrinsic) or secondary by external compromise of the nerve, e.g., tight hosiery (extrinsic). Conservative is the treatment of choice. The localized fasciotomy is reserved for recalcitrant cases.

Is external fixation needed for the treatment of tibial fractures with acute compartment syndrome?

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) after tibial fracture carries a risk of various complications, including infection, delayed union, nonunion, nerve damage, and poor prognosis. For the treatment of fractures with ACS, fasciotomy is conducted, and the method to stabilise the fracture has to be considered. Thirty-five patients who underwent surgery for ACS with tibial shaft fractures were evaluated, and the results of initial internal fixation (Group I, 20 patients) and initial external fixation (Group II, 15 patients) were analysed. The mean age was 41 years. Five patients needed additional surgery for bone union. Complications occurred in 4 cases, but no deep infection was reported. The time to bone union, the need for additional surgery, and the incidence of complications in Group I and Group II were not statistically different. For the treatment of ACS with tibial fracture, immediate internal fixation and changing from external fixation to internal fixation did not affect the clinical course.

Well-leg compartment syndrome after laparoscopic low anterior resection for lower rectal cancer in the lithotomy position: A case report.

A 64-year-old man underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for lower rectal cancer. Because he was overweight (BMI, 28.1 kg/m2 ) with rich visceral fat and a narrow pelvic cavity, the operation was technically difficult and the operation time was 686 min. Postoperatively, the patient immediately complained of pain and swelling of the left lower limb. Laboratory examination showed that serum creatinine kinase was markedly increased and urine myoglobin was positive on postoperative day 1. He was diagnosed with well-leg compartment syndrome and was transported to the trauma and critical care center for emergency fasciotomy. After initial treatment, he was transferred to our hospital on postoperative day 7. He completely recovered after 2 months. Although well-leg compartment syndrome is rare, it is necessary to consider it as a potential complication when performing a long colorectal cancer surgery with the patient in the lithotomy position, particularly when laparoscopic surgery is planned.

Muscle Microvascular Blood Flow, Oxygenation, pH, and Perfusion Pressure Decrease in Simulated Acute Compartment Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The current gold standard for diagnosing acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is an assessment of clinical signs, invasive measurement of intramuscular pressure (IMP), and measurement of local perfusion pressure. However, IMP measurements have several shortcomings, including pain, risk of infection, risk of technique error, plugging of the catheter tip, lack of consensus on the diagnostic pressure threshold, and lack of specificity and sensitivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate muscle hemodynamics, oxygenation, and pH as diagnostic parameters in a human model of ACS. We hypothesized that as IMP increases, muscle microvascular blood flow, oxygenation, and pH decrease in the anterior compartment of a leg at heart level and that they decrease significantly more when the leg is elevated further. METHODS: An external pneumatic leg pressure chamber, combined with a venous stasis thigh cuff, was used to increase IMP and simulate ACS. Eight healthy subjects (5 males and 3 females; mean age, 26 years) had photoplethysmography and near-infrared spectroscopy-pH sensors placed over the middle aspect of the tibialis anterior muscle of the right (experimental) and left (control) legs. Leg chamber pressure conditions (40, 50, and 60 mm Hg) were applied in a randomized order after baseline measurements were taken. Data were collected continuously for each 11-minute pressure condition, with an 11-minute recovery period after each condition, and the average of the last 6 minutes was used for data analyses. The same protocol was repeated with each subject's legs elevated 12 cm above heart level. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: As IMP increased, muscle microvascular blood flow (p = 0.01), oxygenation (p < 0.001), and pH (p < 0.001) all decreased significantly in the experimental leg compared with the control leg. At all IMP levels, leg elevation significantly decreased muscle oxygenation (p = 0.013) and perfusion pressure (p = 0.03) compared with the control leg at heart level. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that muscle microvascular blood flow, oxygenation, pH, and perfusion pressure decrease significantly as IMP increases in a human model of ACS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study identifies hemodynamic and metabolic parameters as potential noninvasive diagnostic tools for ACS.

Regional Anesthesia Did Not Delay Diagnosis of Compartment Syndrome: A Case Report of Anterior Compartment Syndrome in the Thigh Not Masked by an Adductor Canal Catheter.

BACKGROUND Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the thigh after elective primary total knee arthroplasty is rare. If not recognized and treated promptly, devastating consequences may result. Certain regional anesthesia techniques are thought to mask the symptoms of acute compartment syndrome, but there are no cases reported of adductor canal catheters masking the symptoms of thigh compartment syndrome. We report a case where symptoms and diagnosis of acute anterior thigh compartment syndrome were not masked by a functioning adductor canal catheter. CASE REPORT A 56-year-old male developed anterior thigh compartment syndrome after an elective primary total knee arthroplasty. Surgery was performed under spinal anesthesia with periarticular local infiltration analgesia. Postoperatively, an adductor canal catheter was placed, atraumatically, under ultrasound guidance in the recovery room with a plan to begin a continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine 10 hours after the periarticular injection. Six hours after surgery, the patient complained of tightness and 10/10 pain in his right thigh, which was initially managed with parenteral opioids with moderate success. Continuous infusion through the adductor canal catheter was started and pain improved to 6/10 aching pain. Nonetheless, two hours after starting the continuous infusion, the patient reported tightness, swelling, and 10/10 pressure-like pain that was not relieved by the peripheral catheter infusion or PRN boluses of additional opioids. Due to the patient's symptomatology compartment pressures were measured. The anterior compartment pressure was 47 mm Hg and emergent anterior compartment fasciotomy was performed. CONCLUSIONS In this case, a functioning adductor canal catheter did not mask symptoms of, or delay diagnosis of, acute compartment syndrome in the thigh.

Ultrasound-Guided Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: A Cadaveric Investigation.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a common cause of exertional leg pain. It is commonly treated with a surgical fasciotomy, which has a surgical complication rate of up to 16% and takes approximately 6-12 weeks to return to preprocedure activity levels. Therefore, the development of a less invasive, effective outpatient intervention to treat CECS is desirable. OBJECTIVE: To describe and validate an ultrasound-guided (USG) fasciotomy technique for the anterior and lateral compartments of the lower limb in an unembalmed cadaveric model. DESIGN: Prospective, cadaveric laboratory investigation. SETTING: Academic institution procedural skills laboratory. SUBJECTS: Ten unembalmed cadaveric knee-ankle-foot specimens from 1 female (2 specimens) and 7 male donors aged 62-91 years (mean 78.6 years) with body mass indices of 18.9-35.3 kg/m2 (mean 27.1 kg/m2). METHODS: Two experienced operators each performed USG anterior and lateral compartment fasciotomies on 5 unembalmed cadaveric legs. A third physician subsequently dissected the legs to assess the continuity of the fasciotomies and to identify any neurovascular damage related to the procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fasciotomy length (in centimeters) and classification by completeness (achieved target length or did not achieve target length) and continuity (continuous or discontinuous) based on predetermined criteria. Muscles, retinaculae, and neurovascular structures were assessed for damage. RESULTS: No neurovascular injuries occurred in any of the 20 USG fasciotomies. The average fasciotomy length was 22.5 cm. All 20 of the fasciotomies achieved the target length. A continuous cephalocaudal fasciotomy was accomplished in 13 of 20 fasciotomies. When a fasciotomy was not continuous, the average length and number of intact fascial bands was 1.52 cm and 2.3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: USG fasciotomy of the anterior and lateral leg compartments can be safely performed in a cadaveric model and can achieve a fasciotomy length comparable to surgical fasciotomy. Most procedures successfully achieved a continuous cephalocaudal fasciotomy, although small areas of intact fascial bands were identified in approximately one-third of procedures. The clinical significance of this finding is indeterminate. Given the safety demonstrated with this minimally invasive USG fasciotomy in a cadaveric model, further research is warranted to develop and refine the technique for clinical application. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable.

Changes in Muscle Oxygen Saturation Have Low Sensitivity in Diagnosing Chronic Anterior Compartment Syndrome of the Leg.

BACKGROUND: Near-infrared spectroscopy measures muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) in the skeletal muscle and has been proposed as a noninvasive tool for diagnosing chronic anterior compartment syndrome (CACS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of changes in StO2 during and after exercise in patients with CACS. METHODS: The study comprised 159 consecutive patients with exercise-induced leg pain. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure StO2 continuously before, during, and after an exercise test. One minute post-exercise, intramuscular pressure was recorded in the same muscle. The cohort was divided into patients with CACS (n = 87) and patients without CACS (n = 72) according to the CACS diagnostic criteria. Reoxygenation at rest after exercise was calculated as the time period required for the level of muscular StO2 to reach 50% (T50), 90% (T90), and 100% (T100) of the baseline value. RESULTS: The lowest level of StO2 during exercise was 1% (range, 1% to 36%) in the patients with CACS and 3% (range, 1% to 54%) in the patients without CACS. The sensitivity was 34% and the specificity was 43% when an StO2 level of ≤8% at peak exercise was used to indicate CACS. The sensitivity and the specificity were only 1% when an StO2 level of ≤50% at peak exercise was used to indicate CACS. The time period for reoxygenation was seven seconds (range, one to forty-three seconds) at T50, twenty-eight seconds (range, seven to seventy-seven seconds) at T90, and forty-two seconds (range, seven to 200 seconds) at T100 in the patients with CACS and ten seconds (range, one to forty-nine seconds) at T50, thirty-two seconds (range, four to 138 seconds) at T90, and forty-eight seconds (range, four to 180 seconds) at T100 in the patients without CACS. When thirty seconds or more at T90 was set as the cutoff value for a prolonged time for reoxygenation, indicating a diagnosis of CACS, the sensitivity was 38% and the specificity was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in muscle oxygen saturation during and after an exercise test that elicits leg pain cannot be used to distinguish between patients with CACS and patients with other causes of exercise-induced leg pain.

Outcome of a Specific Compartment Fasciotomy Versus a Complete Compartment Fasciotomy of the Leg in One Patient With Bilateral Anterior Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome: A Case Report.

Chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the leg is a debilitating lower extremity condition in which increased intracompartmental pressure impedes blood flow to the involved compartments of the distal lower extremity, resulting in ischemia and pain. Owing to the lack of success with conservative management, most surgeons perform complete release fasciotomy as the preferred method of fasciotomy to avoid an unsuccessful release or outcome. Studies have been performed regarding the outcomes of complete compartmental release versus specific compartmental release, but no study has been performed comparing complete fasciotomy and compartment-specific fasciotomy in a single patient. The purpose of the present case report was to compare the efficacy of a complete fasciotomy versus a specific fasciotomy in 1 patient with properly diagnosed bilateral anterior compartment chronic exertional compartment syndrome with an 18-month follow-up period. The Lower Extremity Functional Scale and both subscales of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure were administered to assess the functional outcomes. Circumferential measurements and range of motion photographs were taken to compare the objective data throughout the recovery process. In general, the range of motion, circumferential measurements, and functional outcome measure scores were better for the specific compartmental fasciotomy leg than for the complete fasciotomy leg during the recovery period. The overall functional outcomes were the same for both surgical approaches, with the specific fasciotomy leg returning to baseline function 13 to 23 days before the complete fasciotomy leg. The outcomes remained unchanged 18 months after surgery.

Outcomes and Complications of Tibial Tubercle Fractures in Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Systematic review of the literature was done to determine (1) the frequency and type of associated injuries, (2) frequency of concomitant Osgood-Schlatter disease, (3) methods of treatment, (4) functional and radiologic outcomes according to fracture type, and (5) complications of tibial tubercle fractures in pediatric patients. METHODS: A systematic review of the English literature from 1970 to 2013 included 23 eligible articles reporting 336 fractures with a mean follow-up of 33.56 months (range, 5.7 to 115 mo). Fractures were classified by a comprehensive system that included characteristics of previous systems. Clinical outcomes were assessed by a qualitative scale (excellent/fair/poor), the rate of return to preinjury activity, and knee range of motion. Rate of fracture healing, associated injuries (patellar/quadriceps tendon avulsion and meniscal tears), compartment syndrome, and complications were also recorded. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 14.6 years and the most common fracture reported was type III (50.6%). The overall associated injury rate was 4.1%, most common in type III fractures (4.7%). Compartment syndrome was present in 3.57% of cases. Open reduction and internal fixation were done in 98% of surgical cases. Rates of return to preinjury activity and knee range of motion were 98%, regardless of the type of fracture. Fracture consolidation was achieved in 99.4% of cases. Overall complication rate was 28.3%; removal of an implant because of bursitis (55.8%) was most common. Tenderness/prominence (17.9%) and refracture (6.3%) were also common. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of tibial tubercle fractures in adolescents produced good clinical and radiologic results regardless of fracture type, which was more related to potential complications. Fractures with intra-articular involvement tended to present with more associated injuries and to have fair functional outcomes, suggesting that advanced imaging may be justified with these fractures. Complications could be more common than expected without a significant effect on final outcome. Finally, there is a need for longer follow-up to determine long-term outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III-systematic review of level III/IV studies.

An early surgical training module for compartment pressure measurement.

BACKGROUND: We test a novel simulated teaching module's ability to educate junior residents in the assessment of compartment syndrome (CS) and compartment pressure measurement (CPM). METHODS: Twenty-two postgraduate year 1 and postgraduate year 2 surgical residents received a 2-hour didactic and practical teaching module on CS assessment and CPM using a simulated model. A structured teaching session by a postgraduate year 5 surgical resident was assessed by carefully constructed pretest, post-test, and delayed retention tests and a practical testing session by 2 board-certified general surgeons. RESULTS: Analysis of variance demonstrated significant difference between pretest (6.1/10), post-test (7.9/10), and retention test (8.2/10) scores [F (2,49) = 9.24, P < .01], with no difference in post-test to retention test comparison (P = .90). Mean CPM scores were 8.5/10 for preparation, 9.0/10 for performance, and 8.5/10 for management components, which did not differ [F (2,57) = .46, P = .63]. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate an efficient simulated CS and CPM teaching module for the education of junior surgical residents using a synthetic model.

Lower Extremity Compartment Syndrome After Coronary Artery Bypass: Easy to Miss Unless Suspected.

Acute compartment syndrome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a rare adverse event, and the diagnosis is challenging unless this condition is actively considered. We report a case from our institution of a patient with confounding presentation leading to a delayed diagnosis of compartment syndrome after CABG.

Sindrome compartimental en miembro inferior - Pierna: consideraciones anatomo - quirúrgicas / Lower limb compartment syndrome - leg: anatomical and surgical considerations

Introducción: El síndrome compartimental es una situación en la cual el incremento de la presión dentro de un espacio cerrado, por encima de la presión de perfusión, afecta la circulación y altera la función de los tejidos que están dentro de dicho espacio comprometiendo la vitalidad de los mismos. Objetivos: Evaluar el conocimiento anatómico de los compartimientos de la pierna con posibilidad de sufrir un síndrome compartimental para la realización de abordajes quirúrgicos de urgencia. Material y Método: Encuestas anónimas realizadas a cirujanos en formación del Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Aeronáutico Central y a ayudantes de anatomía de la III Cátedra de Anatomía de la Facultad de Medicina dela Universidad de Buenos Aires en el período de Marzo-Mayo/2015. Resultados: 45 (100%) encuestados. 15 (33.33%) cirujanos en formación: 5 (33,33%) contestaron correctamente las 10 preguntas, 3 (20 %) contestaron 6, 3 (20 %) contestaron 3 y 2 (13,33 %) ninguna correctamente. 30 (66.66%) ayudantes de anatomía: 15(50%) contestaron correctamente las 10 preguntas, 7 (23,33%) contestaron 6, 4 (13,33 %) contestaron4, 2 (6,67%) sólo una y 2 (6,67%) ninguna correctamente. Conclusiones: El estudio acabado de anatomía de los compartimientos que son susceptibles de padecer un síndrome compartimental, en este caso en miembro inferior, y de las estructuras que los componen, resulta de vital importancia a la hora de tomar una conducta

Introduction: Compartment syndrome is a condition in which increased pressure within a closed space affects circulation and alters the function of tissues. Objectives: To evaluate the anatomic or magazines leg with possibility of having a compartment syndrome for performing surgical approaches urgency knowledge. Material and method: Anonymous surveys to training surgeons of the General Surgery Department at the Hospital Aeronáutico Central and to anatomy assistants of the III Chair of Anatomy of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Buenos Aires during the period March-May 2015. Results: 45 respondents (100%). 15 (33,33%) training surgeons: 5 (33,33%) correctly answered 10 questions, 3 (20%) answered 6, 3 (20%) answered 3and 2 (13,33%) no right answers. 30 (66,66%) anatomy assistants: 15 (50%) correctly answered 10 questions, 7(23,33%) answered 6, 4 (13,33%) 4 questions, 2 (6,67%) correctly answered only one question and 2 (6,67%) no right answer. Conclusions: Complete study of the compartments' anatomy Susceptible of having a compartment syndrome is vital when taking behavior

Diagnostico del sindrome compartimental inducido por el ejercicio mediante resonancia magnetica post-esfuerzo / Post-exercise MRI for diagnosis of chronic exertional compartmental syndrome

RESU MEN: El SCIE representa la causa del 27% de los cuadros de dolor anterior de pierna en atletas. El origen del dolor en este cuadro es aún discutido. La medición de la presión intracompartimental es el gold standard en el diagnóstico, aunque es un estudio invasivo. El desarrollo e interpretación de nuevas secuencias en RMN, aportaron una alternativa en el diagnóstico incruento del SCIE. La RMN post-esfuerzo es una opción atractiva y atraviesa en la actualidad su proceso de validación. MATERIAL Y MÉT ODOS Se evaluaron 22 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de síndrome compartimental inducido por el ejercicio, con una media de seguimiento de 5 años (1-10 años). Todos fueron evaluados mediante examen clínico, RM pre y post actividad física y medición de presión intracompartimental pre y post actividad física. La resonancia magnética se realizó en reposo y luego de la prueba de esfuerzo. La medición de presión intracompartimental se realizó con la técnica de Whitesides, el diagnóstico se realizó con los criterios de Pedowitz. RESULTADOS De los 22 pacientes, 19 tuvieron una medición intracompartimental positiva (15 masculino, 4 femenino) y 3 una medición negativa. Todos los pacientes tuvieron una RMN normal en reposo. En los 3 pacientes que tuvieron medición intracompartimental negativa, la RMN post-esfuerzo fue normal. De los 19 pacientes restantes, la RMN detectó señal hiperintensa en T2 y STIR en 15 de ellos (78,95%). CONCLUSIONES La RMN podría tener un lugar en el diagnóstico, para lo cual debería mejorarse la sensibilidad de este método. No obstante, la medición intracompartimental pre y post-esfuerzo sigue siendo el gold-standard. Nivel de evidencia: IV

BACKGROUND: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is the cause of 27% of anterior leg pain in athletes. The source of pain in this condition is still debated. Measurement of intracompartmental pressure is the gold standard diagnosis, albeit an invasive study. The development and interpretation of new MRI sequences has provided a non-invasive alternative to CECS diagnosis. Post-exercise MRI is an attractive option which is currently undergoing its validation process. METHODS: 22 patients with a clinical diagnosis of CECS were included, with a median follow-up of 5 years (1-10 years). All the patients were evaluated by clinical examination, pre- and post-exercise MRI and pre-and post-exercise intracompartmental pressure measurement. Pressure was measured with Whitesides technique, and diagnosis was carried out by Pedowitz criteria. RESULTS: Out of the total 22 patients, 19 had positive intracompartmental measurement (15 male, 4 female) and 3 had negative measurement. All the patients had a normal MRI at rest. The three patients who had negative intracompartmental measurement had a normal post-stress MRI. Out of the remaining 19 patients, the MRI detected hyperintense signal in T2 and STIR weighted in 15 of them (78,95%). CONCLUSIONS: MRI could be relevant for diagnosis, for which case the sensitivity of this method should be improved. Nevertheless, pre- and post-stress intracompartmental measurement continues to be the gold-standard. Level of evidence: IV