Abstract
We report a case of acute compartment syndrome of the leg caused by primary pyomyositis. A 37-year-old male with a history of untreated diabetes mellitus presented to the emergency room complaining of a swollen and painful right leg for 7 days. He denied any trauma and intravenous drug use. The diagnosis was established by elevated tissue pressure of the anterior and lateral tibial compartments of the lower extremity and enlargement of the muscles on computed tomographic (CT) scan. The patient underwent an immediate four compartment fasciotomy and surgical drainage. Culture of wound pus grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Blood cultures were negative. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy and surgical drainage resulted in resolution of the infection with good residual muscle function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary pyomyositis causing compartment syndrome in Japan.
