Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Compartment syndrome is often trauma-related, but rare cases may arise from soft tissue sarcomas (STS) increasing pressure within muscle compartments. This case emphasizes the need to consider atypical causes of compartment syndrome in older adults. A 95-year-old woman with multiple health condition...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589514125000040 |
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| author | Chukwuemeka C. Ene, BS Jason S. Salvato, BS Matthew W. Parry, MD, MS Alex Tang, MD Michael S. Pheasant, MD Aidan G. Papalia, DO, MBA Jeffrey M. Gillette, DO |
| author_facet | Chukwuemeka C. Ene, BS Jason S. Salvato, BS Matthew W. Parry, MD, MS Alex Tang, MD Michael S. Pheasant, MD Aidan G. Papalia, DO, MBA Jeffrey M. Gillette, DO |
| author_sort | Chukwuemeka C. Ene, BS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Compartment syndrome is often trauma-related, but rare cases may arise from soft tissue sarcomas (STS) increasing pressure within muscle compartments. This case emphasizes the need to consider atypical causes of compartment syndrome in older adults. A 95-year-old woman with multiple health conditions presented with severe pain, swelling, and finger immobility following a minor twisting injury to her forearm. Examination findings suggested compartment syndrome, prompting an urgent fasciotomy to relieve pressure. Intraoperatively, a large mass was found within the volar compartment. Pathology identified it as a high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma. Given the patient’s age, health status, and comorbidities, observation was recommended instead of further surgery. This case highlights the importance of considering rare causes, like STS, in cases of compartment syndrome without clear trauma. Prompt surgical decompression provided pain relief, and the patient-centered, individualized approach to her follow-up reflects the balance needed between aggressive treatment and quality of life in elderly patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9b67d10069749aeb5bc38c2709ce92f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2589-5141 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online |
| spelling | doaj-art-c9b67d10069749aeb5bc38c2709ce92f2025-08-20T03:13:12ZengElsevierJournal of Hand Surgery Global Online2589-51412025-05-017310069410.1016/j.jhsg.2025.01.003Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue SarcomaChukwuemeka C. Ene, BS0Jason S. Salvato, BS1Matthew W. Parry, MD, MS2Alex Tang, MD3Michael S. Pheasant, MD4Aidan G. Papalia, DO, MBA5Jeffrey M. Gillette, DO6Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PAGeisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PADepartment of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Corresponding author: Matthew W. Parry, MD, MS, 1175 East Mountain Blvd, Wilkes Barre, PA 18702.Department of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PADepartment of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PADepartment of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PAGeisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA; Department of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Department of Orthopaedics, Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute, Scranton, PACompartment syndrome is often trauma-related, but rare cases may arise from soft tissue sarcomas (STS) increasing pressure within muscle compartments. This case emphasizes the need to consider atypical causes of compartment syndrome in older adults. A 95-year-old woman with multiple health conditions presented with severe pain, swelling, and finger immobility following a minor twisting injury to her forearm. Examination findings suggested compartment syndrome, prompting an urgent fasciotomy to relieve pressure. Intraoperatively, a large mass was found within the volar compartment. Pathology identified it as a high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma. Given the patient’s age, health status, and comorbidities, observation was recommended instead of further surgery. This case highlights the importance of considering rare causes, like STS, in cases of compartment syndrome without clear trauma. Prompt surgical decompression provided pain relief, and the patient-centered, individualized approach to her follow-up reflects the balance needed between aggressive treatment and quality of life in elderly patients.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589514125000040Compartment syndromeCompartment release fasciotomyHand surgerySoft tissue sarcoma |
| spellingShingle | Chukwuemeka C. Ene, BS Jason S. Salvato, BS Matthew W. Parry, MD, MS Alex Tang, MD Michael S. Pheasant, MD Aidan G. Papalia, DO, MBA Jeffrey M. Gillette, DO Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online Compartment syndrome Compartment release fasciotomy Hand surgery Soft tissue sarcoma |
| title | Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma |
| title_full | Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma |
| title_fullStr | Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma |
| title_short | Forearm Compartment Release with Incidental Soft Tissue Sarcoma |
| title_sort | forearm compartment release with incidental soft tissue sarcoma |
| topic | Compartment syndrome Compartment release fasciotomy Hand surgery Soft tissue sarcoma |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589514125000040 |
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