Acute compartment syndrome as a complication of mosquito repellent toxicity—a case report

Background: The aim of this study was to understand the local manifestations and complications of mosquito repellent toxicity. Case presentation: A 16-year-old female presented to the emergency department with the complaints of severe pain over the left upper limb, with tense swelling and difficulty in movement. On the evaluation of history, the patient confirmed to have injected 2 ml of mosquito repellent “Good Knight” liquid into the flexor aspect of the left forearm just above the wrist joint a week back, and she gradually developed swelling and pain, for which she was being treated elsewhere. She was brought with restricted movement of the wrist joint with moderate pain and swelling extending up to the elbow region. Conclusion: In this case, the patient had injected around 2 ml of mosquito repellent liquid into the anterior compartment of the forearm above palmar carpal ligament. This solution is an acidic, toxic solution that causes irritation in skin tissues, in which one gets a direct exposure. This patient developed acute compartment syndrome which could have further led to Volkmann’s contracture. Such chemical irritants can lead to life-threatening scenarios if left untreated and may irreversibly damage the structures that they have been exposed to. Timely intervention to release the compartment pressures may help to save the limb deformity or limb loss.