Thoracic compartment syndrome.

Presented is a case of a thoracic gunshot wound resulting in descending thoracic aortic and biventricular cardiac injuries. Successful management of these wounds allowed the development of an unusual and previously undescribed complication of thoracic trauma--thoracic compartment syndrome. The clinical features, therapy, and potential sequelae of thoracic compartment syndrome are presented with a review of the literature.