Lumbar paraspinal myonecrosis after abdominal vascular surgery - A case report

Study Design. Case report. Objectives. Lumbar paraspinal myonecrosis after abdominal vascular surgery. Summary of Background Data. Lumbar paraspinal myonecrosis does not appear t o have been reported previously. Methods. A patient who had severe back pain after abdominal vascular surger y was observed with computed tomographic scans and histologic examination o f a specimen obtained in open biopsy. Results. Computed tomographic scans of the lumbar region demonstrated muscl e swelling of the unilateral paraspinal compartment. Histologic examination s of affected muscle revealed fresh ischemic necrosis. A compartmental synd rome was considered from the patient's clinical presentation and radiograph ic and histologic features. An accompanying secondary infection led to an e xtensive abscess in the paraspinal compartment. The patient resumed active daily life after aggressive debridements of infected and necrotic muscles. Conclusions. A compartmental syndrome in the paraspinal muscle should be ke pt in mind as a potential cause of acute back pain especially after abdomin al vascular surgery.