J Korean Fract Soc.  2007 Jul;20(3):277-281. 10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.3.277.

Posterior Thigh Compartment Syndrome as a Result of Pseudoaneurysm of the Popliteal Artery in the Distal Femoral Fracture: A Case Report

• Lee SJ

• KMID: 2296830
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2007.20.3.277

Abstract

Compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare condition and usually occurs in the anterior compartment. It is frequently caused by muscle injury, femur fracture, muscle overuse and vessel injury, but there have been few reports about posterior thigh compartment syndrome caused by pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery after fixation of distal femoral fracture with the retrograde intramedullary nail. We report a case of posterior thigh compartment syndrome caused by pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery, and report the clinical progression and result of our case.

Keyword

Thigh; Compartment syndrome; Pseudoaneurysm

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm, False*
Compartment Syndromes*
Femoral Fractures*
Femur
Popliteal Artery*
Thigh*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Radiographies made on admission, showing comminuted fracture of the distal femur and proximal tibia.

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  Fig. 2 On the femoral angiogram, posterior tibial and peroneal arteries are not well visualized, but posterior tibial artery is faintly visualized through weak collateral flow.

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  Fig. 3 Postoperative radiographs of the knee joint.

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  Fig. 4 Sonogram shows 10×6 cm mass in the medial aspect of the thigh as like hematoma or abcess.

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  Fig. 5 Angiogram shows snowman appeared pseudoaneurysm in popliteal artery.

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