Introduction

Compartment syndrome in the limbs is a surgical emergency requiring urgent release of the muscular compartments to prevent ischaemia and tissue death. Commonly, it develops following accidental trauma or as a sequelae of surgery in the limb. Unusual presentation patterns or aetiological factors may be confusing, delaying the diagnosis and prompt management. We report a rare case of bilateral anterior compartment syndrome, secondary to psychogenic polydipsia.

Case report

A 42-year-old male presented confused and agitated with bilateral lower limb pain unresponsive to opiates. He had a past medical history of schizophrenia with psychogenic polydipsia, consuming over 10 L of diet cola soft drink per day prior to presentation. Blood tests showed sodium of 112 mmol/L and a peak creatinine kinase of 13417 U/L. On examination he had tense and swollen bilateral anterior legs; posterior calves were soft. Compartment pressures were measured using a manometer. Left and right anterior compartment pressures were measured at 60 mmHg and 90 mmHg respectively (normal limit < 30 mmHg). Posterior compartments measured within the normal range bilaterally. The patient was expedited to theatre for exploration. At operation, bilateral fasciotomies of the anterior compartments were performed, and bulging muscles were found. The posterior compartments were not released due to the normal examination findings. In theatre, a urinary catheter was passed to allow monitoring of the patient’s urine output given the high risk of rhabdomyolysis, and the patient was commenced on intravenous fluids to prevent renal failure and treat the hyponatraemia. The patient returned to theatre the following day where it was noted although the muscles were still grossly swollen and bulging from the anterior compartment, but they did appear alive and well perfused. Further 72 h later, the patient had stabilised medically and returned to theatre for split skin graft coverage of the wounds. A literature review using OVID Medline and PubMed was performed to search for similar cases (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

A Left leg fasciectomy wound showing muscle bulging from the anterior compartment. B Right leg fasciectomy wound showing muscle bulging from the anterior compartment. C Right leg fasciectomy wound with meshed split thickness skin graft reconstruction. D Right leg fasciectomy wound with meshed split thickness skin graft reconstruction, showing residual muscle bulging

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Discussion

Compartment syndrome affecting all the compartments of a limb is relatively common and may be managed by a variety of surgical teams including plastic, orthopaedic, vascular or general surgeons. Compartment syndrome isolated to the anterior compartment and from a medically induced aetiology is very rare. Our review found only five published cases [1,2,3,4,5]. Four cases were secondary to psychogenic polydipsia, and one case attributed to severe primary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. Patients may present with unilateral or bilaterally affected legs. The severe hyponatraemia may also induce seizures because of cerebral oedema [2] or be fatal because of the brain injury or cardiac arrest from hyperkalaemia secondary to rhabdomyolysis and renal failure [3].

Traditional surgical teaching holds that where there is sufficient clinical suspicion of compartment syndrome, then the patient should be expedited to theatre for surgical fasciotomies without delaying to formally measure compartment pressures. However, given the unusual presentation in this case, it was deemed sensible to record pressures formally. The skin is cleaned, and some local anaesthetic infiltrated under the skin. Using either a commercially available handheld device or a needle, syringe and giving set rigged up to a manometer (pressure monitor), the needle is passed perpendicular through the skin and into the muscle compartment. Exact level of pressure elevation that causes cell death is unclear. It was previously thought that pressure > 30 mmHg was toxic although the “delta pressure” may be better predictor than absolute pressure:

$$\begin{array}{c}\mathrm{\Delta Pressure }= \left[\mathrm{Diastolic Pressure}\right]-[\mathrm{Compartment Pressure}]\\ \mathrm{\Delta Pressure }< 30\mathrm{ mm Hg is suggestive of compartment syndrome}.\end{array}$$

All of the published cases similar to the one described in this case report resulted in permanent disability due to delays in recognising the diagnosis. Drop foot and loss of sensation in the dorsal foot is the likely outcome for a patient with delayed release of the anterior compartment [1, 3, 4]. This is due to necrosis of the muscles in the anterior compartment and/or compression of the deep peroneal nerve as it passes through the compartment, supplying the muscles before giving sensation to the 1st webspace on the dorsum of the foot. Follow-up of the patient in this case report showed return of normal sensation of the foot and movement of the muscles of the anterior compartment, presumably due to the early diagnosis and prompt surgical management.

Conclusion

Hyponatraemia as a result of psychogenic polydipsia is well recognised, but isolated anterior compartment syndrome is a rare complication of hyponatraemia. This case report highlights the need to consider non-traumatic causes of compartment syndrome.