# Compartment Syndrome: An Uncommon Twist in Childhood Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

## TL;DR

A rare case of compartment syndrome in a child with Henoch-Schönlein purpura was successfully treated with emergency surgery.

## Contribution

Reports a rare complication of HSP in children and its successful management through emergency fasciotomy.

## Key findings

- Compartment syndrome of the hand and forearm is an extremely rare complication of HSP.
- Emergency fasciotomy successfully managed the condition in a four-year-old child.
- Only two cases of this complication have been previously reported in the literature.

## Abstract

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) also known as rheumatoid purpura is the most common vasculitis in children. This condition affects small blood vessels, predominantly targeting the skin, digestive system, joints, and kidneys. Short-term prognosis mainly depends on abdominal complications, while long-term prognosis is mainly determined by the severity of kidney involvement, which occurs in about 35% of cases. Although uncommon, other organs such as the lungs, heart, or nervous system may also be affected. Compartment syndrome of the hand and forearm is a very rare complication of HSP. To our knowledge, only two cases have been reported in the literature. We describe the case of a four-year-old child who presented with rheumatoid purpura complicated by compartment syndrome of the hand and forearm successfully managed through emergency fasciotomy.