Compartment syndromes and compression neuropathies in coma.

Eight patients are reported who developed peripheral nerve injuries due to limb compression during unattended coma. In each patient, the site of the peripheral nerve lesion or the unique combination of peripheral nerve lesions and swollen limbs, pressure blisters, or myoglobinuria indicated that compartment syndromes caused the nerve injury. The peripheral nerve injuries were characterized by severe axonal loss with persistent and often disabling sequelae.