Compartmentsyndrome Diagnosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammadmain Rezazadehsaatlou[2] ;

Overview

Frequent serial examinations are important in patient with CS. Immediate surgical consultation should be obtained if CS is highly suspected so in areas with hospitals having limited surgical instruments, the patient should be transferred immediately to a nearest hospital where compartment pressures can be measured and fasciotomies performed. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the complications of ACS can be prevented and normal function of the extremity maintained

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the CS is quite difficult and is based on the clinical symptoms. Meanwhile, the most frequently cited symptoms of a CS are the ‘‘6 Ps’’: pain (with stretch), pressure, pulse, paresthesia, paresis and pink color. Pain may be an unreliable indicator because it might be absent in an acute compartment syndrome associated with nerve injury. Inappropriate pain despite of stabilized fracture is an alarming sign of CS. Peripheral pulse and capillary filling are usually normal in these patients. In patients in coma or patients with locoregional anesthesia these above mentioned clinical symptoms as pain and function are of no help for the diagnosis then clinical examination might be insufficient in diagnosis of CS .