Successful adjunctive treatment of compartment syndrome due to acute isocyanate inhalation using hyperbaric oxygen therapy: case report. 2020

Sungmin Lee, and Junho Han, and Tag Heo
Department of Emergency Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Dong-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.

Isocyanates are the raw materials that make up all polyurethane products. Isocyanate is a powerful irritant to the mucosal membrane of the respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Pulmonary symptoms, especially occupational asthma, are predominant manifestations of isocyanate toxicity. We report mental changes and compartment syndrome complicated with rhabdomyolysis as an extraordinary manifestation of acute isocyanate toxicity observed in a patient during the waterproofing of a water tank. A 58-year-old man recovered consciousness after six hours in the emergency department and complained of severe pain in the lower leg. The results of his laboratory test showed that his serum creatine kinase (15,250 IU/L) level had increased. The tissue pressure in both the lower legs had increased to 180 mmHg/170 mmHg (right/left). We performed fasciotomy on the second day of hospitalization. The patient was provided hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy of 2.0 ATA for 90 minutes twice a day for seven days. His condition gradually improved over five months, and he did not require amputation. He had a mild neurological disorder in his foot and was transferred to a rehabilitation center five months after hospitalization. It is important to note that when working with isocyanate, non-specific complications such as a change in consciousness as well as compartment syndrome with rhabdomyolysis can occur in a confined space or high-temperature environment. In addition, we found that compartment syndrome caused by isocyanate toxicity can be effectively treated with fasciotomy and HBO2 therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D003131 Combined Modality Therapy The treatment of a disease or condition by several different means simultaneously or sequentially. Chemoimmunotherapy, RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY, chemoradiotherapy, cryochemotherapy, and SALVAGE THERAPY are seen most frequently, but their combinations with each other and surgery are also used. Multimodal Treatment,Therapy, Combined Modality,Combined Modality Therapies,Modality Therapies, Combined,Modality Therapy, Combined,Multimodal Treatments,Therapies, Combined Modality,Treatment, Multimodal,Treatments, Multimodal
D003161 Compartment Syndromes Conditions in which increased pressure within a limited space compromises the BLOOD CIRCULATION and function of tissue within that space. Some of the causes of increased pressure are TRAUMA, tight dressings, HEMORRHAGE, and exercise. Sequelae include nerve compression (NERVE COMPRESSION SYNDROMES); PARALYSIS; and ISCHEMIC CONTRACTURE. FASCIOTOMY is often used to decompress increased pressure and eliminate pain associated with compartment syndromes. Compartment Syndrome
D003402 Creatine Kinase A transferase that catalyzes formation of PHOSPHOCREATINE from ATP + CREATINE. The reaction stores ATP energy as phosphocreatine. Three cytoplasmic ISOENZYMES have been identified in human tissues: the MM type from SKELETAL MUSCLE, the MB type from myocardial tissue and the BB type from nervous tissue as well as a mitochondrial isoenzyme. Macro-creatine kinase refers to creatine kinase complexed with other serum proteins. Creatine Phosphokinase,ADP Phosphocreatine Phosphotransferase,ATP Creatine Phosphotransferase,Macro-Creatine Kinase,Creatine Phosphotransferase, ATP,Kinase, Creatine,Macro Creatine Kinase,Phosphocreatine Phosphotransferase, ADP,Phosphokinase, Creatine,Phosphotransferase, ADP Phosphocreatine,Phosphotransferase, ATP Creatine
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006931 Hyperbaric Oxygenation The therapeutic intermittent administration of oxygen in a chamber at greater than sea-level atmospheric pressures (three atmospheres). It is considered effective treatment for air and gas embolisms, smoke inhalation, acute carbon monoxide poisoning, caisson disease, clostridial gangrene, etc. (From Segen, Dictionary of Modern Medicine, 1992). The list of treatment modalities includes stroke. Oxygenation, Hyperbaric,Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy,Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapies,Hyperbaric Oxygenations,Oxygen Therapies, Hyperbaric,Oxygen Therapy, Hyperbaric,Oxygenations, Hyperbaric,Therapies, Hyperbaric Oxygen,Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen
D000071938 Fasciotomy Surgical incision on the FASCIA. It is used to decompress compartment pressure (e.g. in COMPARTMENT SYNDROMES; circumferential burns and extremity injuries) or to release contractures (e.g. in DUPUYTREN'S CONTRACTURE). Fasciectomy
D000868 Anterior Compartment Syndrome Rapid swelling, increased tension, pain, and ischemic necrosis of the muscles of the anterior tibial compartment of the leg, often following excessive PHYSICAL EXERTION. Anterior Tibial Syndrome,Anterior Compartment Syndromes,Anterior Tibial Syndromes,Compartment Syndrome, Anterior,Compartment Syndromes, Anterior,Syndrome, Anterior Compartment,Syndrome, Anterior Tibial,Syndromes, Anterior Compartment,Syndromes, Anterior Tibial,Tibial Syndrome, Anterior,Tibial Syndromes, Anterior
D012206 Rhabdomyolysis Necrosis or disintegration of skeletal muscle often followed by myoglobinuria. Rhabdomyolyses

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