2017 Volume 16 Issue 4 Pages 260-265
A 49-year-old man presented at our hospital due to bulla formation on the left hand. As he had poorly controlled Parkinson's disease, his left hand to his forearm continued to be compressed during his sleep. Acute compartment syndrome was suspected due to elevation of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and was confirmed with elevation of muscle compartment pressure. Due to rapid exacerbation of local pain, edema, and bulla number, we performed emergency decompressive fasciotomy on the 1st day of hospitalization. Severe edema from his left hand to forearm was relieved soon after skin incision. Thereafter, successful skin grafting was performed for the remaining partial ulcer. Bullae that occur on unconscious patients are generally referred to as coma blisters, and blister formation is known to be one characteristic feature of compartment syndrome. It is necessary to accurately differentiate coma blisters from decubitus.Skin Research, 16: 260-265, 2017
