Acute Compartment Syndrome as a Complication of the Use of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Needle Electrodes.

BACKGROUND: The use of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IOM) has become commonplace in many neurosurgical procedures as a tool to reduce the risk of complications through the early identification of reversible neurologic compromise. Although complications related to IOM itself are exceedingly rare, recognizing their clinical presentation in the postoperative neurosurgical patient is essential for the early identification and implementation of appropriate treatment.

CASE DESCRIPTION: The authors present a case report of a patient who developed postoperative acute compartment syndrome in the right arm after placement of neuromonitoring needles for routine IOM during endovascular treatment of a left internal carotid artery aneurysm. Before the procedure, the patient received dual antiplatelet therapy and was noted to have a P2Y12 reaction unit value within therapeutic range. The patient had not received other anticoagulation therapy and had no family or personal history of hematologic or coagulopathic disorders. Immediately after an uncomplicated endovascular intervention, the patient began to develop symptoms of forearm swelling, tightness, and tenderness to palpation; pain with wrist flexion and extension; and paresthesias of the distal digits of the hand. She had eventual loss of a palpable radial pulse. The patient underwent emergent fasciotomies of multiple forearm compartments and had immediate return of a palpable radial pulse.

CONCLUSIONS: This case represents the first report of post-procedural compartment syndrome resulting from placement of neuromonitoring needles for routine IOM. Although it is a particularly rare complication of IOM, compartment syndrome represents a surgical emergency that carries significant morbidity if not immediately recognized and treated.