Severe malaria complicated by bilateral compartment syndrome of the forearms – A case report

Abstract

We describe here the first reported case of compartment syndrome complicating malaria. Compartment syndrome has previously been reported secondary to a number of infectious aetiologies including meningococcal septicaemia, dengue fever, and primary infection of muscles in affected compartments. Capillary leakage in sepsis and localised inflammation in myositis have previously been hypothesised as pathophysiological mechanisms. The patient's muscular physique, owing to his bodybuilding hobby, likely predisposed to compartment syndrome in this case. Whilst sequestration of parasitized red blood cells in skeletal muscle has been previously reported it is unclear whether this could have contributed to the development of this unusual complication.

Keywords

• Malaria
• Cerebral malaria
• Compartment syndrome
• Fasciotomy
• Chemosis