Unilateral Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Abstract

The authors describe a case involving a 40-year-old Caucasian man with acute onset of unilateral painful swelling, erythema and parasthesias of the left upper extremity after physical activity. A diagnosis of acute compartment syndrome was made and the patient was treated effectively with surgical intervention. Postoperative histology revealed the underlying cause of the compartment syndrome to be eosinophilic fasciitis (EF). Although EF is uncommon, surgeons should consider EF as an underlying cause of compartment syndrome in patients presenting without a history of trauma.