Exogenous Peptide Injection Causing Medical Thigh Compartment Syndrome

We present a case of a 43-year-old man who presented to the Emergency Department with worsening thigh pain. The patient had injected a "peptide cocktail" into his thigh 3 days prior. Physical examination revealed trace pitting edema of the left leg with moderate muscle spasm and tenderness of the medial aspect of the distal thigh with associated numbness along the medial aspect of the knee. Point-of-care ultrasound detected intramuscular edema and free fluid in the leg. He was found to have acute compartment syndrome of the thigh secondary to the peptide cocktail injection, causing a large hematoma posterior to the adductor magnus. The patient required fasciotomy and hematoma evacuation. He ultimately left against medical advice during his hospitalization. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: In an age when many patients look for supplements to aid with weight loss and muscle growth, it is essential to be aware of peptide injection therapies and the potential complication of compartment syndrome.PMID:38461135 | DOI:10.1016/j.jemermed.2023.11.025

Source: Pain Physician - March 9, 2024 Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Daniella Lamour Tony W Bruno Richard D Shih Joshua J Solano Scott M Alter Source Type: research