Acute Lumbar Paraspinal Compartment Syndrome after a Tug of War: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Review Data

Q: Is the topic relevant to the journal area of interest? Is it contemporary and interesting for

researchers?

A: Very good

Abstract & Keywords

Q: Are all required components included in the abstract? Are the keywords appropriately chosen?

A: Very good

Goal

Q: Is the goal explicitly stated in the Introduction? Is its formulation clear and unambiguous?

A: Very good

Structure

Q: Is the paper's structure coherent? Is it in coherence with the goal of the paper?

A: Very good

Tools and Methods

Q: Are methods the author uses adequate and well used?

A: Excellent

Discussion & Conclusion

Q: Is it related to the results presented before? Do you consider them as coherent?

A: Excellent

Comments: The case description is adequate. The Discussion section provides an overview of current literature with a description of standards of diagnostics and treatment strategies for acute lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome. It covers the clinical manifestations as well as elaborates on the rationale behind the importance of emergent fasciotomy compared to the conservative treatment in the treatment of such rare pathology. The Conclusion section summarizes from the report that operative treatment does not depend upon the diagnostic criteria and urgent fasciotomy which follows paraspinal approach, results in better clinical outcomes.

Literature

Q: Does the author utilize relevant literature?

A: Very good

Author's knowledge

Q: What is the level of the author’s knowledge? Does the author utilize all recent contributions relevant to the topic?

A: Very good

Length

Q: Is the length of the paper adequate to the significance of the topic? Do you suggest shortening the paper without losing its value?

A: Good

Figures & Tables

Q: Does the author use them suitably? Are legend and notations clear?

A: Very good

Writing style

Q: Is it clear and understandable?

A: Very good

Further comments on the paper

Comments: This is the first case report, investigates a case of a 21-year-old young woman presented with right-sided flank pain after a tug of war match, caused by paraspinal compartment syndrome of the erector spinae muscles. This case shows that in the case of acute back pain with indurated back musculature, even without major trauma, compartment syndrome represents an important differential diagnosis in patients presenting with severe abdominal, lumbar and paraspinal pain. It demonstrates the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scan as useful diagnostic tools and focuses on the significance of emergent fasciotomy in the paraspinal region, based on Wiltse approach to prevent high creatine kinase (CK)-serum levels and is associated with improved outcomes and significant pain reduction postoperatively. The time-point and the need for fasciotomy in paraspinal compartment syndrome are still under discussion due to very rare experiences.

Q: Would you recommend this manuscript for further publication?

A: Yes - Suitable to be published

If you have any questions and clarifications you can write to the journal.

Thanks,
Science Repository Team