Multiple compartment syndrome in a pediatric patient with CML

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Surgical Oncology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Compartment syndrome is a critical condition caused by increased pressure within muscle compartments, potentially leading to irreversible tissue damage.
• Leukemic infiltration of muscle is an uncommon etiology for compartment syndrome, typically associated with hyperleukocytic leukemias, particularly acute myeloid leukemia.

Observation:

• This report details a rare case of multiple compartment syndrome affecting the buttock and thigh in an 11-year-old male with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
• The patient's acute compartment syndrome diagnosis was delayed, resulting in irreversible tissue damage.

Findings:

• Leukemic compartment syndrome is infrequently encountered, often leading to diagnostic delays among clinicians unfamiliar with this rare complication.
• Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia can manifest as compartment syndrome, highlighting the need for broader differential diagnoses in leukemic patients.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of leukemia-induced compartment syndrome is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention.
• Prompt surgical debridement in cases of leukemic compartment syndrome can significantly mitigate morbidity and mortality.