Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine

Introduction: Compartment syndrome is an emergent condition of increased pressure within a muscle compartment.  Paraspinal is a rare location for compartment syndrome and is typically secondary to exertion, trauma, or surgery.

Case report: We present a case of paraspinal compartment syndrome in a patient who presented after fentanyl overdose.  This patient was likely exposed to Xylazine, also known as “tranq”, which may have contributed to his presentation.

Conclusion: Emergency medicine physicians must be aware of paraspinal compartment syndrome to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment and prevent associated morbidity and mortality.