Acute compartment syndrome in the hand due to cutaneous anthrax: Case report and literature review

TL;DR

A 71-year-old man with cutaneous anthrax developed acute compartment syndrome in his hand and was successfully treated with emergency surgery and antibiotics.

Contribution

This case report highlights the rare but serious complication of compartment syndrome in cutaneous anthrax and the importance of multidisciplinary care.

Findings

Cutaneous anthrax can progress to acute compartment syndrome despite antibiotic treatment.

Emergency fasciotomy prevented permanent damage and enabled successful recovery.

Early inpatient monitoring and collaboration between surgical and infectious disease teams were critical for treatment.

Abstract

Cutaneous anthrax, a rare but serious infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, generally responds well to medical treatment. However, in some cases, it can lead to serious complications such as meningitis, septic shock, and compartment syndrome. This case report presents a 71-year-old male patient who developed cutaneous anthrax infection following an insect bite, followed by acute compartment syndrome. The patient initially presented with a painless skin lesion, but despite antibiotic treatment, the lesion rapidly deteriorated. The patient was admitted to the inpatient department, started on intravenous antibiotic therapy and closely monitored, but developed acute compartment syndrome in his hand. Emergency fasciotomy was performed to prevent complications of compartment syndrome, and good results were achieved with wound care and skin grafting. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of cutaneous anthrax complicated by compartment syndrome. Timely intervention, including fasciotomy and appropriate wound care, can lead to successful treatment outcomes.

•Cutaneous anthrax may rarely progress to acute compartment syndrome.•Urgent fasciotomy prevented permanent ischemic damage in the upper limb.•Early inpatient monitoring enabled timely surgical decision-making.•Surgical and infectious disease teams collaborated for optimal care.•This case emphasizes multidisciplinary management in severe infections.

Cutaneous anthrax may rarely progress to acute compartment syndrome.

Urgent fasciotomy prevented permanent ischemic damage in the upper limb.

Early inpatient monitoring enabled timely surgical decision-making.

Surgical and infectious disease teams collaborated for optimal care.

This case emphasizes multidisciplinary management in severe infections.

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