Compartment Syndrome Induced by Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Abstract

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the most commoncause of fatal poisoning in the United States and may bethe most common worldwide cause of fatal poisoning. COpoisoning can affect the entire body and usually causesneurologic or cardiac injury. While not common, rhabdomyolysis,skeletal muscle necrosis, and renal failure can alsooccur. We report on a suicidal 22-year-old man who inhaledCO gas from a burning briquette. His case was complicatedby compartment syndrome (CS). Finally, he had to undergofasciotomy and removal of necrotic muscle. A CO poisonedpatient who is unconscious cannot describe symptoms andmoderate swelling or tenderness might be neglected. Though CS rarely appears in CO poisoning, delayed diagnosismay result in fatal consequences. Therefore, in thecase of an unconscious patient, the entire body must beexamined closely to identify early signs related to CS (tenderness,swelling, redness). If the diagnosis is uncertainafter the clinical evaluation, the pressure within the compartmentshould be measured.