Multicompartment Syndrome Following Trauma in a Patient Using Anabolic Steroids

 

Patient selection: use or abuse of an anabolic steroid

 

Risk factors:

(1) motor vehicle accident

(2) trauma associated with physical exertion

(3) fall

(4) hypercoagulable state

(5) crush injury

(6) fractures

 

A clue to the diagnosis is the presence of the compartment syndrome in body regions not affected by trauma.

 

Manifestations:

(1) swelling of affected compartment

(2) poor perfusion (dusky, cold, weak or absent pulses)

(3) distal neuropathy

(4) pain

 

Complications may include:

(1) rhabdomyolysis

(2) ischemia of tisues within the affected compartment

(3) hyperkalemia

(4) arterial thromboses

 

Emergency fasciotomies are necessary to preserve the tissues within the affected compartments.