Atraumatic Acute Compartment Syndrome of Forearm Following Artificial Mehndi (Henna) Dermatitis – A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Atraumatic compartment syndrome of the forearm is a rare entity. There are several papers available in the literature on the adverse effects of mehndi application; however Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) following mehndi application has never been reported. We present the case of a 25-year-old female, who presented with sudden onset swelling and pain in the left forearm. The patient had applied mehndi all over her left palm and forearm just two days prior to presentation. The patient had stretch pain and other clinical features suggestive of compartment syndrome of forearm and was hence taken up for an emergency fasciotomy. The fasciotomy wound healed without skin grafting and the patient achieved near normal range of movement of the affected elbow, wrist and fingers.

Keywords

• fasciotomy
• hypersensitivity
• nerve decompression