PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - John J Gillooly AU - Andrew Hacker AU - Vipul Patel TI - Compartment syndrome as a complication of a stab wound to the thigh: a case report and review of the literature AID - 10.1136/emj.2007.052647 DP - 2007 Nov 01 TA - Emergency Medicine Journal PG - 780--781 VI - 24 IP - 11 4099 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/24/11/780.short 4100 - http://emj.bmj.com/content/24/11/780.full SO - Emerg Med J2007 Nov 01; 24 AB - Acute compartment syndrome of the thigh is a rare but potentially devastating condition, in which the pressure within the osseofascial compartment rises above the capillary perfusion gradient, leading to cellular anoxia, muscle ischaemia and death. Early diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent long term disability. It is most often associated with crush injuries and femoral fracture. We present a previously unreported case of thigh compartment syndrome following a stab injury, treated by emergent fasciotomy.