[Magnetic resonance tomography evaluation of the lower limb after compartment syndrome]

For the purpose of follow-up of the disease as well as the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a method for diagnosing soft tissue changes 20 patients with imminent and manifest compartment syndrome were examined for their fluid content of the lower limb. Considering the normal side as well as 10 healthy volunteers a significant reduction of fluid content was diagnosed in the manifest compartment syndrome after fasciotomy in the late phase of disease (r = 0.49, p > 0.005, n = 29). This was interpreted as a sign of fibrosis. The patients with imminent compartment syndrome and fasciotomy (r = 0.83, p > 0.001, n = 19) demonstrated no significant changes compared to the normal volunteers (r = 0.91, p > 0.001, n = 40) as well as the normal compartments of the diseased lower extremities (r = 0.85, p > 0.001, n = 32). MRI is a useful method in the examination of soft tissue changes and underlines the importance of an early fasciotomy in case of imminent compartment syndrome.