[Traumatically-induced compartment syndrome of the tibia. Ultrasound diagnosis for qualitative assessment of late sequelae for musculature after dermatofasciotomy].

To determine the significance of sonography in evaluating long-term damage of muscle surgically treated for compartment syndrome 27 patients of the Department for Trauma Surgery, University Clinic Essen, Germany, were examined on their anterior lower limb after an average of 98 (43 to 154) months after trauma. They had had a fasciotomy for imminent (n = 15) or manifest (n = 12) compartment syndrome. Comparing the healthy side a qualitative grading (0 to 3) of the changes could be introduced reflecting the extent of the increase in echogenicity and the loss of the typical muscle texture. Gray scale histograms confirmed the qualitative grading. Patients with manifest compartment syndrome showed severe changes (grade 2 and 3). In imminent compartment syndrome 2 patients with grade 2 and 13 patients with grade 0 or 1 were found. The sonographical changes can be explained by the known pathomorphological changes after compartment syndrome (denervation, scarification). Sonography is useful in the evaluation of soft tissue after compartment syndrome. The results underline the demands of early fasciotomy in imminent compartment syndrome for prevention of damage of muscle and nerve.