Journal of Vascular Surgery
Volume 37, Issue 5 , Pages 1103-1105, May 2003

Acute limb ischemia secondary to myositis-induced compartment syndrome in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection☆☆

Houston, Tex

From the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine

Received 31 July 2002; accepted 30 October 2002.

Abstract 

Myositis, while uncommon, develops more frequently in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. We report a case of acute lower leg ischemia caused by myositis in such a patient. Urgent four-compartment fasciotomy of the lower leg was performed, which decompressed the compartmental hypertension and reversed the arterial ischemia. This case underscores the importance of recognizing compartment syndrome as a cause of acute limb ischemia. (J Vasc Surg 2003;37:1103-5.)

 

 Competition of interest: none.

☆☆ Reprint requests: Peter H. Lin, MD, Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston VAMC (112), 2002 Holcomb Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 (e-mail: plin@bcm.tmc.edu).

 0741-5214/2003/$30.00 + 0

PII: S0741-5214(02)75320-2

doi:10.1067/mva.2003.179

Journal of Vascular Surgery
Volume 37, Issue 5 , Pages 1103-1105, May 2003