Point of care ultrasound needle guidance to assist diagnosis of acute gluteal compartment syndrome

Abstract

Gluteal compartments can be difficult to assess for acute compartment syndrome (ACS) compared to other fascial compartments due to their anatomy and rarity of presentation. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) needle guidance may assist in obtaining accurate compartment pressure measurements within the gluteal compartments. We present a case in which a 69-year-old woman presented following a fall resulting in a superior prosthetic hip dislocation. One-hour post hip-reduction, the patient began to experience severe pain of the right leg, swelling to the gluteal region, and numbness to her foot. With consideration of a developing gluteal compartment syndrome in mind, POCUS was used to guide the needle of a compartmental pressure monitor system into the gluteal maximus and medius-minimus compartments which demonstrated elevated compartment pressures consistent with ACS. The patient was subsequently taken for emergent fasciotomy and hematoma evacuation. There has been limited investigation into compartment pressure measurement under US guidance versus a palpation/landmark-guided technique. This case shows the feasibility of US needle guidance when assessing compartment pressures for this uncommon diagnosis.

Keywords: Compartment syndrome; Emergency Medicine; Gluteal compartment syndrome; Procedural guidance; Ultrasound.