Bilateral forearm compartment syndrome in a patient with recently diagnosed chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Abstract

Compartment syndrome is a limb-threatening surgical emergency that typically occurs unilaterally in the lower leg after trauma. It often occurs within hours of injury but can occur up to 48 hours or even several days later. We report the case of a male patient in his late 70s presenting with subacute, atraumatic, bilateral forearm compartment syndrome. The patient had commenced treatment for newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukaemia and had in addition recently started a course of rivaroxaban for suspected deep venous thrombosis 3 weeks prior. The patient presented with bilateral upper limb swelling, skin discolouration, progressive pain and dysfunction. Emergency bilateral multicompartmental forearm fasciotomy was performed for limb preservation.