SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “compartments”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Compartments revealed in food-web structure.

Compartments in food webs are subgroups of taxa in which many strong interactions occur within the subgroups and few weak interactions occur between the subgroups. Theoretically, compartments increase the stability in networks, such as food webs. Compartments have been difficult to detect in empirical food webs because of incompatible approaches or insufficient methodological rigour. Here we show that a method for detecting compartments from the social networking science identified significant compartments in three of five complex, empirical food webs. Detection of compartments was influenced by food web resolution, such as interactions with weights. Because the method identifies compartmental boundaries in which interactions are concentrated, it is compatible with the definition of compartments. The method is rigorous because it maximizes an explicit function, identifies the number of non-overlapping compartments, assigns membership to compartments, and tests the statistical significance of the results. A graphical presentation reveals systemic relationships and taxa-specific positions as structured by compartments. From this graphic, we explore two scenarios of disturbance to develop a hypothesis for testing how compartmentalized interactions increase stability in food webs.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1995

VPS27 controls vacuolar and endocytic traffic through a prevacuolar compartment in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Newly synthesized vacuolar hydrolases such as carboxypeptidase Y (CPY) are sorted from the secretory pathway in the late-Golgi compartment and reach the vacuole after a distinct set of membrane-trafficking steps. Endocytosed proteins are also delivered to the vacuole. It has been proposed that these pathways converge at a "prevacuolar" step before delivery to the vacuole. One group of genes has been described that appears to control both of these pathways. Cells carrying mutations in any one of the class E VPS (vacuolar protein sorting) genes accumulate vacuolar, Golgi, and endocytosed proteins in a novel compartment adjacent to the vacuole termed the "class E" compartment, which may represent an exaggerated version of the physiological prevacuolar compartment. We have characterized one of the class E VPS genes, VPS27, in detail to address this question. Using a temperature-sensitive allele of VPS27, we find that upon rapid inactivation of Vps27p function, the Golgi protein Vps10p (the CPY-sorting receptor) and endocytosed Ste3p rapidly accumulate in a class E compartment. Upon restoration of Vps27p function, the Vps10p that had accumulated in the class E compartment could return to the Golgi apparatus and restore correct sorting of CPY. Likewise, Ste3p that had accumulated in the class E compartment en route to the vacuole could progress to the vacuole upon restoration of Vps27p function indicating that the class E compartment can act as a functional intermediate. Because both recycling Golgi proteins and endocytosed proteins rapidly accumulate in a class E compartment upon inactivation of Vps27p, we propose that Vps27p controls membrane traffic through the prevacuolar/endosomal compartment in wild-type cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

Neuromuscular compartments of cat lateral gastrocnemius produce different torques about the ankle joint.

The primary purpose of this study was to establish whether the neuromuscular compartments of cat lateral gastrocnemius produce different mechanical actions on the skeletal system, by determining the contributions made by these compartments to the torques produced about the ankle joint. It was postulated that neuromuscular compartments might represent output elements of the spinal circuits. If so, they should produce unique mechanical actions. Isometric torques about the center of the ankle joint produced by the neuromuscular compartments of the cat lateral gastrocnemius were measured with a multiaxis force-moment sensor connected to the plantar surface of the foot. Individual compartment torques were elicited by activation of the primary compartment branches of the lateral gastrocnemius nerve. The magnitude of the individual torque components, and thus of the resultant torque, was significantly different between compartments. In three of the four lateral gastrocnemius compartments, significantly different torque trajectories were noted. The results, together with those from previous studies demonstrating that compartments can be activated in a task-dependent manner, suggest that neuromuscular compartments represent anatomical substrates that can be used by the nervous system for regulating movement.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Further characterization of the Na-Ca exchange-dependent Ca compartment in rat ventricular cells.

A discrete subcellular Ca compartment, absolutely dependent upon Na-Ca exchange for its exchange, has been previously identified in ventricular cells from both adult rat and from neonatal rat cultures. The present study further characterizes this compartment in the adult ventricular myocyte. The compartment's exchange is significantly decreased by 20 microM 3,4-dichlorobenzamil. Its content responds significantly to variation of the extracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]o) and to reversal of the Na-Ca exchanger by reduction of extracellular Na concentration to zero. Its content decreases to 155 +/- 24 mumol/kg dry cell wt in 0.2 mM [Ca]o and increases to 623 +/- 48 mumol/kg at 6.5 mM [Ca]o, where it appears to be near saturation. The compartment is significantly reduced by 45Ca labeling in the presence of 10 mM caffeine (23%) and 1 mM ryanodine (22%). This compartment is not significantly affected by 1 microM thapsigargin. 45Ca activity is retained in the compartment when 45Ca washout is conducted without Na or Ca in the washout solution, i.e., Na-Ca exchange is not operative. Under these conditions, addition of 1 mM Cd to the washout produces a significant release of 45Ca from the compartment. The results are interpreted to indicate that the compartment in the adult cell has two components that are in equilibrium: a relatively small sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) component and a larger "non-SR" component. This is in contrast to the compartment in the cultured cell in which the compartment is 2.6 times larger and has a larger SR component. The possibility that the non-SR component represents Ca bound to the cytoplasmic leaflet of the sarcolemma at SR junction regions is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

A three-compartment thermometry model for the improved estimation of changes in body heat content.

The aim of this study was to use whole body calorimetry to directly measure the change in body heat content (DeltaH(b)) during steady-state exercise and compare these values with those estimated using thermometry. The thermometry models tested were the traditional two-compartment model of "core" and "shell" temperatures, and a three-compartment model of "core," "muscle," and "shell" temperatures; with individual compartments within each model weighted for their relative influence upon DeltaH(b) by coefficients subject to a nonnegative and a sum-to-one constraint. Fifty-two participants performed 90 min of moderate-intensity exercise (40% of Vo(2 peak)) on a cycle ergometer in the Snellen air calorimeter, at regulated air temperatures of 24 degrees C or 30 degrees C and a relative humidity of either 30% or 60%. The "core" compartment was represented by temperatures measured in the esophagus (T(es)), rectum (T(re)), and aural canal (T(au)), while the "muscle" compartment was represented by regional muscle temperature measured in the vastus lateralis (T(vl)), triceps brachii (T(tb)), and upper trapezius (T(ut)). The "shell" compartment was represented by the weighted mean of 12 skin temperatures (T(sk)). The whole body calorimetry data were used to derive optimally fitting two- and three-compartment thermometry models. The traditional two-compartment model was found to be statistically biased, systematically underestimating DeltaH(b) by 15.5% (SD 31.3) at 24 degrees C and by 35.5% (SD 21.9) at 30 degrees C. The three-compartment model showed no such bias, yielding a more precise estimate of DeltaH(b) as evidenced by a mean estimation error of 1.1% (SD 29.5) at 24 degrees C and 5.4% (SD 30.0) at 30 degrees C with an adjusted R(2) of 0.48 and 0.51, respectively. It is concluded that a major source of error in the estimation of DeltaH(b) using the traditional two-compartment thermometry model is the lack of an expression independently representing the heat storage in muscle during exercise.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1997

Reassessment of glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity from minimal model analysis: a theoretical evaluation of the single-compartment glucose distribution assumption.

Minimal model analysis with the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test provides an effective way to measure two important metabolic parameters in vivo under non-steady-state conditions: glucose effectiveness (SG) and insulin sensitivity (SI). Two questions regarding the validity of SG and SI have recently emerged. First, SG from the minimal model is suspected to be overestimated. Second, the occurrence of SI values indistinguishable from zero ("zero-SI") is not negligible in large clinical studies, and its physiological meaning is uncertain. In this study, we examined the significance of the assumed single-compartment glucose distribution embedded in the minimal model on the estimation of SG and SI. A more accurate two-compartment model was constructed by incorporating insulin action on hepatic glucose output and uptake into a previously validated construction. The two-compartment results were compared with the one-compartment minimal model results. It was shown that the one-compartment assumption contributes to a systematic deviation of SG (slope = 0.54, y-intercept = 0.014 min[-1]; n = 195 simulations). However, SG from the minimal model was linearly correlated to SG determined from the two-compartment model (r = 0.996). The one-compartment assumption also contributed to the occurrence of zero SI values for insulin-resistant subjects. A similar linear relationship was found between SI estimated by both the minimal model and the two-compartment model (slope = 0.58, y-intercept = -0.57 x 10[-4] min[-1] per pU/ml, r = 0.998). In conclusion, SG and SI from the minimal model are not necessarily equivalent to values emanating from the more accurate two-compartment model. However, the very high correlation between one- and two-compartment results suggests that the minimal model-derived SG and SI are dependable indexes of in vivo glucose effectiveness and insulin sensitivity. Minimal model analysis' advantages of simplicity, minimal invasiveness, reasonable reflection of non-steady-state glucose kinetics, and cost-effectiveness could in many cases outweigh the structural bias introduced by the model simplification.

Blood Glucose↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Decompression of an experimental compartment syndrome in dogs with hyaluronidase.

The treatment of compartment syndromes in which elevation of intracompartmental pressure occurs is by surgical fasciotomy. This is a relatively simple procedure but may be associated with complications. This study aimed at developing an alternative method to decompress a compartment by use of the enzyme hyaluronidase. Autologous plasma was infused into the anterolateral leg compartments of six dogs to simulate compartment syndromes of 80 mmHg. Pressure decay after pressurization was recorded. The compartment pressures were then again raised to 80 mmHg by subfascial injections of 1500 units hyaluronidase in 2 ml saline injected into one compartment and 2 ml saline only into the control side. Pressure decay was again recorded. On the experimental side, a significantly faster decay rate occurred after hyaluronidase injection than after initial pressurization; 8.0 +/- 1.3 (S.E.M.) versus 3.4 +/- 0.4 (S.E.M.) mmHg/min (p less than .01). Pressure decay after hyaluronidase injection was significantly faster than after the same volume injection on the control side, over both a four-minute period (8.0 +/- 1.3 [S.E.M.] versus 4.1 +/- 0.6 [S.E.M.] mmHg/min [p less than .03]) and a 25-minute period (2.1 +/- 0.3 [S.E.M.] versus 1.3 +/- 0.1 [S.E.M.] mmHg/min [p less than .03]). Hyaluronidase removes hyaluronic acid molecules from the leg compartment fascia and, by facilitating fluid flow from the compartment, causes decompression. Hyaluronidase may then have a place in the prophylaxis and treatment of compartment syndrome, thus avoiding anesthesia and surgery.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Evaluation of limb compartment with suspected increased interstitial pressure. A noninvasive method for determining quantitative hardness.

Six compartments in four dogs and three compartments in three anatomic specimen limbs were injected with plasma, and the intracompartmental interstitial pressure and hardness of the compartments were measured. Six patients suspected of having compartment syndromes were also studied. Of the compartments evaluated in the dog and anatomic specimen limbs, the average correlation coefficient between measurements with the two methods was 0.95 (range, 0.87 to 0.99). In six patients suspected of having compartment syndromes, the ratios of quantitative hardness of the injured to uninjured limbs closely matched the intracompartmental interstitial pressure measurement ratios (correlation coefficient, 0.95). All correlation coefficients were significant (F test, p < 0.05). There was a close correlation between the direct measurement of intracompartmental interstitial pressure with the wick catheter and quantitative hardness in compartment syndrome models in dog and anatomic specimen limbs, and in patients suspected of having compartment syndromes. The determination of surface hardness of limb compartments, which appears accurate and reproducible, offers the advantages of being noninvasive and well suited for longer-term assessments of intracompartmental interstitial pressure.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Acute compartment syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome is a serious complication of injury. It occurs when raised pressure within a closed osteofascial compartment compromises the circulation and function of tissues within the compartment. Most cases are caused by fracture. The largest group are tibial diaphyseal fractures, followed by soft tissue injury, crush syndrome, distal radial fractures and forearm diaphyseal fractures. Those at risk of developing acute compartment syndrome are young males, patients with bleeding disorders or on anticoagulant therapy and in the upper limb, high energy injury. The clinical symptoms and signs of acute compartment syndrome are pain, stretch pain and neurological abnormality, none of which are constantly present. Since early diagnosis of this condition is of paramount importance compartment monitoring is recommended. The recommended tissue pressure threshold for decompression has been variable through the years but should be related to the patient's blood pressure. A difference of less than 30 mmHg between the diastolic and tissue pressures has been validated clinically and it is recommended that at this level serious consideration should be given to decompression of the affected compartments. Use of this pressure threshold with compartment monitoring has been shown to half the delay to fasciotomy and significantly reduces the late complications of acute compartment syndrome.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of limb compartments with increased interstitial pressure. An improved noninvasive method for determining quantitative hardness.

The purpose of this project was to study a noninvasive method of evaluating limbs at risk of compartment syndrome. Untreated limb compartment syndrome may lead to irreversible dysfunction, chronic pain and contracture. An improved means of obtaining quantitative hardness measurements is reported. The handheld noninvasive compartment syndrome evaluator (NCSE) device formulates a quantitative hardness curve of force verse depth of indentation by applying a 5.0 mm diameter indenter to a limb muscle compartment. Eighteen volunteers (9 men, 9 women) had elevated intracompartmental interstitial pressures by application of custom-made tourniquets. Comparison of interstitial pressure to quantitative hardness measurements in 71 compartments tested showed a statistically significant strong linear relationship with an average Pearson correlation coefficient of .84 (range .78-.9 P<.0001). In addition, for all compartments tested, the mean hardness value for the group with interstitial pressure greater than 50 mmHg (considered compartment syndrome) was close to 2x greater and was statistically different than the mean hardness for the group with interstitial pressure less than 30 mmHg (no compartment syndrome, t-test: P<.0001). This study utilizes a device that has improved upon previous quantitative hardness measurement techniques. In addition, by utilizing a tourniquet model to create elevated interstitial intracompartmental pressure in volunteers, data collection was easier and faster. In the future, quantitative hardness measurements may accurately predict interstitial intracompartmental pressure for most patients. This technique may greatly enhance the medical community's ability to diagnose compartment syndrome with a noninvasive means.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Compartment syndrome after closed intramedullary nailing of the tibia: a canine model and report of two cases.

Two patients developed an anterior tibial compartment syndrome after closed reamed intramedullary nailing of their fractured tibial shaft. Subsequently, a study was undertaken using a canine model to evaluate the risk of compartment syndrome after this operative procedure. A closed tibial fracture was created in 20 mongrel canines by applying a torsional load localized to the tibial shaft through a stress riser made with an intramedullary drill. Compartment pressures were measured in the canine anterolateral and deep posterior leg compartments. In 10 dogs, closed intramedullary nailing with reaming was performed while compartment pressures were measured. The remaining 10 dogs served as controls. Compartment pressures were monitored for 4 hours. In the experimental group, one dog attained and maintained a pressure greater than 50 mm Hg; a second dog maintained a pressure of 20 mm Hg during the postoperative monitoring period. In both of these cases, fasciotomy reduced the pressures to zero. The high tissue pressure readings were localized to the anterolateral muscle compartment. In the control group, no pressures higher than 8 mm Hg were recorded. Compartment syndrome is a potential complication of closed intramedullary nailing of the tibia, and the anterior muscle compartment appears to be the one most at risk. Therefore, perioperative tissue pressure monitoring is recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The clinical diagnosis of compartment syndrome of the lower leg: are clinical findings predictive of the disorder?

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether published studies support basing the diagnosis of compartment syndrome of the lower leg on clinical findings. DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search of the English literature from 1966 to 2001 was performed using "compartment syndromes" as the subject. A manual search of the bibliographies of retrieved articles and of major orthopaedic texts was also performed. STUDY SELECTION AND EXTRACTION: Of 1,932 titles identified, 433 abstracts of potential relevance were reviewed, and 104 articles from relevant abstracts were examined in their entirety. Four studies met all eligibility criteria. Criteria for inclusion included the following: (a) target population, traumatic or iatrogenic tibia injuries; (b) diagnostic test, presence of data needed to calculate both the sensitivity and specificity of clinical findings; (c) outcome, the presence or absence of compartment syndrome; and (d) methodologic criteria, prospective study design. DATA SYNTHESIS: The likelihood ratio form of Bayes' theorem was used to assess the discriminatory ability of the clinical findings as tests for the compartment syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: There are limited data from which to define the usefulness of clinical findings for the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Data from eligible studies suggest that the sensitivity of clinical findings for diagnosing compartment syndrome is low (13% to 19%). The positive predictive value of the clinical findings was 11% to 15%, and the specificity and negative predictive value were each 97% to 98%. These findings suggest that the clinical features of compartment syndrome of the lower leg are more useful by their absence in excluding the diagnosis than they are when present in confirming the diagnosis. Likelihood ratio calculations found that the probability of compartment syndrome with one clinical finding was approximately 25%, and the probability was 93% with 3 clinical findings present. However, these findings are based on limited information; because of the paucity of data available, the predictive value of the clinical findings for the diagnosis of compartment syndrome has yet to be defined.

Compartment Syndromes↗

PubMed2000

Acute traumatic compartment syndrome of the foot in children.

Acute traumatic compartment syndrome of the foot is a sequelae of serious injury to the foot, which, if unrecognized, may result in significant motor and sensory deficits, pain, stiffness, and deformity. It is nearly always associated with fractures, dislocations, and crush injuries to the foot. Vascular injuries and coagulopathic states are also risk factors for the development of an acute foot compartment syndrome. In children, the presentation of an acute foot compartment syndrome may be masked by the pain and edema caused by associated fractures and dislocations. A high index of suspicion is warranted in children presenting with foot injuries that are associated with foot compartment syndrome. Recognition of the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome in the emergency room are paramount; the diagnosis is best confirmed by multiple compartment pressure readings. The urgency of diagnosis of a compartment syndrome must be underscored, as the complications of a missed foot compartment syndrome includes contractures, claw toe deformity, sensory loss, stiffness, and chronic pain. Prompt orthopaedic consultation is mandatory; urgent compartment fasciotomies are associated with a good clinical outcome.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2000

Evaluation of outcomes in patients following surgical treatment of chronic exertional compartment syndrome in the leg.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes in patients who had a fasciotomy performed on their leg(s) for chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care sport medicine referral practice. PATIENTS: A consecutive series of 62 patients surgically treated for CECS from January 1991 to December 1997. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A questionnaire was designed and developed to assess pain (using a 100 mm visual analogue scale), level of improvement, level of maximum activity, satisfaction level, and the occurrence of reoperations. RESULTS: Fifty patients had anterior/lateral compartment involvement, 8 patients had deep posterior compartment involvement, and 4 patients had anterior/lateral/deep posterior compartment involvement. The demographics of the 39 respondents and 23 nonrespondents were similar. The mean percent pain relief of respondents was 68% (95% CI [confidence interval] = 54% to 82%). There was no relationship between percent pain relief and the documented immediate post exercise compartment pressures. A clinically significant improvement was reported by 26 of 32 (81%) anterior/lateral compartment patients and 3 of 6 (50%) patients with deep posterior compartment involvement. Patient level of activity after fasciotomy was classified as equal to or higher than before the operation with a lesser degree of pain by 28 of 36 (78%) patients, while 8 of 36 (22%) patients reported lower activity levels than before the operation. Of the patients reporting lower activity, seven were due to exercise related pain in the post operative leg(s) and one was due to lifestyle changes. Thirty of 38 patients (79%) were satisfied with the outcome of the operation. Four of 62 patients (6%) failed the initial surgical procedure and required revision surgery for exercise-induced pain. In addition, one of these individuals also had a sympathectomy and another had a neurolysis performed at the time of revision surgery. Three of the 62 (5%) patients had subsequent operations for exercise-induced pain on different compartments than the initial surgical procedure. One individual had an unsuccessful operative repair of a posttraumatic neuroma. Postoperative complications were reported by 5 of 39 (13%) patients in the additional comments section of the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients surgically treated for CECS experience a high level of pain relief and are satisfied with the results of their operation. The level of pain relief experienced by patients is not related to the magnitude of the immediate post exercise compartment pressures. Despite the possibility that some patients have less favorable outcomes, experience complications, or need subsequent operations, fasciotomy is recommended for patients with CECS as there is no other treatment for this condition.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of anterior compartment pressures in competitive runners and cyclists.

Anterior compartment pressure was measured in 10 competitive runners and in 10 competitive cyclists who were asymptomatic for compartment syndrome. Pressures were measured at rest, after exercise at 80% VO2max, after maximal exercise, and 15 minutes after both exercise bouts. No difference in compartment pressure was found after exercise at 80% VO2max in runners and cyclists. Total creatinine phosphokinase enzyme levels measured before and after exercise at 80% VO2max showed a 10-fold increase in runners as compared to cyclists. Anterior compartment pressure measured after maximal exercise was significantly greater in runners as compared to cyclists. Compartment pressure showed no increase from resting values during cycling at 80% VO2max or maximal exercise. These findings suggest that patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome may be able to cycle without elevation of compartment pressure and concomitant pain as an alternative exercise to maintain a continued degree of fitness and training. Compartment pressures should be measured during cycling in patients with chronic compartment syndrome to determine its efficacy as a method for maintenance of cardiorespiratory fitness.

Anterior Compartment Syndrome↗

PubMed1996

Compartment syndromes of the hand.

We retrospectively reviewed the records of nineteen patients who had been managed with fasciotomy because of compartment syndrome of the hand. The patients were five months to sixty-seven years old and included ten adults and nine children. Seventeen patients were followed for an average of twenty-one months (range, one to fifty-eight months), one patient was lost to follow-up after discharge, and one patient died four days postoperatively. All of the patients had a tense, swollen hand and elevated pressure in at least one interosseous compartment. Eight patients also had a compartment syndrome of the forearm. The compartment syndromes developed after intravenous injections (eleven patients); after a gunshot wound, a crush injury, or a complication related to the use of an arterial line (two patients each); and after a complication related to an arthrodesis of the wrist or a crush injury due to prolonged pressure on the upper extremity secondary to a drug overdose (one patient each). Fifteen patients had an obtunded sensorium-either because of a serious illness or injury or secondary to prolonged anesthesia-when the compartment syndrome was recognized. In thirteen of these patients, including eight children and five adults, the compartment syndrome developed because of a complication related to the intravenous or intra-arterial administration of drugs. Carpal tunnel release and decompression of the involved compartments led to a satisfactory result for thirteen of the seventeen patients who were followed. The remaining four patients (including two children who had an amputation, one child who had impaired function of the hand secondary to brain damage, and one adult who had extensive involvement of the forearm and complete loss of function of the hand) had a poor result. All four of these patients had been obtunded when the compartment syndrome developed. The treating physician should maintain a high index of suspicion for a compartment syndrome of the hand when managing seriously ill, obtunded patients-particularly children-who are receiving multiple intravenous or intra-arterial injections.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Common compartment syndromes in athletes. Treatment and rehabilitation.

Compartment syndromes in athletes are rare, but they can also be limb-threatening events. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a less emergent form where symptoms recur with repetitive loading or exertional activities. CECS is the most common form of compartment syndrome seen in athletes. Acute compartment syndromes may also occur in athletes secondary to direct trauma or may develop from pre-existing CECS. The leg is by far the most common site of compartment syndrome in athletes. The thigh, forearm, and foot are the next most common sites, although any fascially limited compartment can be affected. Awareness of the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of compartment syndromes can help the examiner make a prompt and accurate diagnosis. The treatment of acute compartment syndrome is emergent while the treatment of CECS is not. Conservative treatment and rehabilitation can be successful in treating CECS. Acute compartment syndromes must be treated immediately with surgical decompression. With CECS, if conservative treatment fails, surgical decompression is also indicated. Some authors have suggested that the results of surgical fasciotomy and rate of return to sport for athletes with CECS has not been uniform. If the diagnosis is accurate and carefully documented, a high degree of success with athletes returning to sport can be expected.

Athletic Injuries↗

PubMed1999

Lower extremity compartment syndrome. When to suspect acute or chronic pressure buildup.

Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency. A high index of suspicion is needed in cases of severe contusion, especially if patient complaints seem to outweigh physical findings. Acute surgical fasciotomy is an effective treatment and should be carried out expeditiously if compartment pressures are elevated over 70 mm Hg in order to avoid complications such as chronic disability due to contractures or rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome most often occurs in the anterior or the lateral compartment. Patients have only exercise-related symptoms and recover quickly after resting from the inciting activity. Diagnosis is difficult, but the anterior compartment pressure may be checked fairly readily with a handheld pressure catheter. Deep posterior compartment problems are harder to check because of the difficulty in reaching this area. Thallium stress testing appears promising for diagnosing both anterior and posterior problems and may augment, or even replace, the catheter measurement in the deep posterior and perhaps even the anterior compartment. Thallium stress testing is noninvasive and may be a more physiologic measurement. Fasciotomy may be indicated if conservative treatment lacks efficacy. For unknown reasons, the deep posterior compartment does not respond as quickly, or as well, to fasciotomy as the anterior compartment.

Acute Disease↗