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Case Reports
. 2018 Dec 13:2018:9042820.
doi: 10.1155/2018/9042820. eCollection 2018.

Compartment Syndrome of the Flexor Compartment of the Arm Secondary to Pectoralis Major Tendon Rupture

M A Tranovich  1 , J B Stirton  1 , J C Maier  2 , M B Tanios  1 , J E Lea  1 , N A Ebraheim  1 , J D Miller  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Compartment Syndrome of the Flexor Compartment of the Arm Secondary to Pectoralis Major Tendon Rupture

M A Tranovich et al. Case Rep Orthop. .

Abstract

Case. Compartment syndrome following muscle rupture is a rare entity with few mentions in the literature. We present a case of pectoralis major rupture in a 38-year-old male that evolved into compartment syndrome of the anterior compartment of the arm. Rupture of the pectoralis is uncommon and most often occurs during weight lifting. Compartment syndrome secondary to this injury is extremely uncommon, with only one reported case in the pectoralis major itself and several cases of biceps compartment syndrome. Due to the potentially devastating consequences of a missed compartment syndrome, it is imperative that physicians maintain a high level of suspicion in patients with these unusual injuries presenting with severe swelling and pain.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Deformity of anterior axillary fold.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial MRI image. H: humerus; P: pectoralis major; B: biceps tendon.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Coronal MRI image. H: humerus; P: retracted pectoralis major.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anterior arm compartment pressure checks preoperatively: 37, 39, and 42 mmHg.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Muscle bulge and clot extravasation with compartment release.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Hematoma evacuated from the anterior compartment of the arm.
Figure 7
Figure 7
D: deltoid; P: ruptured pectoralis major tendon; B: biceps brachii.
Figure 8
Figure 8
D: deltoid; P: repaired pectoralis major.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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