Document Detail


Compartment syndrome, fasciotomy, and neuropathy after a rattlesnake envenomation: aspects of monitoring and diagnosis.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16538944     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Compartment syndrome resulting from pitviper envenomation is uncommon in North America; however, when it does occur, early diagnosis, optimal antivenom therapy, and possible surgical decompression are the primary means of preventing the complication of neuropathy. Here, we report a case of a rattlesnake envenomation in the anterior compartment of the lower leg that required high doses of morphine to control pain. Although compartment syndrome was considered a possible outcome, subfascial pressures were not monitored and antivenom was discontinued at 24 hours. At 36 hours, the patient developed dorsal foot numbness and foot drop, and 15 hours later pressures within the anterior compartment were >68 mm Hg. Emergency fasciotomy was performed 59 hours postenvenomation. Peroneal neuropathy was evident after surgery and only partially recovered postoperatively. Earlier monitoring of subfascial pressures and using those pressures as a guide for decisions about time and dose of CroFab antivenom treatment may have permitted earlier surgical treatment after onset of compartment syndrome or even prevented the onset of this condition.
Authors:
David L Hardy; Kelly R Zamudio
Related Documents :
8188774 - Compartment syndrome of the forearm and hand.
11311464 - Cauda equina syndrome.
17891694 - Abdominal compartment syndrome due to distended rectal stump.
1511794 - Tethered cord syndrome in myelodysplasia: correlation between level of lesion and heigh...
19894384 - Distribution and development of the tcm syndromes in psoriasis vulgaris.
9239954 - Congenital temporomandibular joint ankylosis--a case report.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Wilderness & environmental medicine     Volume:  17     ISSN:  1080-6032     ISO Abbreviation:  Wilderness Environ Med     Publication Date:  2006  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-03-16     Completed Date:  2006-06-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9505185     Medline TA:  Wilderness Environ Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  36-40     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
dhardysr@therriver.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Animals
Antivenins / therapeutic use*
Compartment Syndromes / complications*,  diagnosis,  etiology,  surgery*
Crotalid Venoms / antagonists & inhibitors*
Crotalus
Decompression, Surgical
Diagnosis, Differential
Fascia / surgery*
Female
Humans
Leg / blood supply
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Antivenins; 0/Crotalid Venoms

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Hypothermia with profound anemia and pancreatitis.
Next Document:  The management of open fractures.