Cocaine and ketamine-induced paraspinal muscle compartment syndrome.
Turkish Journal of Emergency Medicine January 1, 2025 Thomas Saliba, Simone Giglioli, Sanjiva Pather et al. 1 citation
Lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome is a rare condition caused by increased pressure within the muscle compartment, with only 40 reported cases. A 25-year-old man who consumed large amounts of cocaine, ketamine, and alcohol presented with severe diffuse back pain, elevated creatine kinase levels, and a negative noncontrast abdominal CT, suggesting crush syndrome. His pain localized to the right paraspinal region, and a contrast-enhanced CT showed muscle swelling and edema. Compartment syndrome was confirmed by intramuscular pressure measurement, and he underwent surgical fasciotomy, recovering uneventfully. Cocaine and ketamine can cause rhabdomyolysis, which may lead to compartment syndrome, though this is rare in the paraspinal muscles.