Gluteal compartment syndrome caused by traumatic rupture of the superior gluteal artery
Introduction. We report a case of a sixty-year-old man diagnosed with gluteal compartment syndrome caused by traumatic rupture of the superior gluteal artery associated with fracture of the inferior pubic ramus and blunt trauma. Case report. A patient was injured falling from a height of four meters. Signs of compartment syndrome and sciatic nerve compression developed three hours after the injury. The patient went through a computerized tomography (CT) scan procedure with contrast, which showed a hematoma in the gluteal region, but without signs of active bleeding. However, after observation and monitoring of the patient, CT angiography was performed which revealed a rupture of the superior gluteal artery. Fasciotomy and debridement were performed and the patient was diagnosed with gluteal compartment syndrome and rupture of the superior gluteal artery. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement of the patient’s condition. Conclusion. Traumatic gluteal compartment syndrome is a rare condition. Gluteal compartment syndrome should be taken into consideration in each patient with pelvic trauma and hematoma in the gluteal region whose neurological status is affected. Prompt diagnosis and fasciotomy are crucial in the treatment and fasciotomy presents the gold standard in the treatment.