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Rhabdomyolysis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ayesha Javid, MBBS[2]

Synonyms and keywords: Familial paroxysmal rhabdomyolysis

Overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ayesha Javid, MBBS[2]

Overview

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle necrosis and the release of intracellular muscle contents, such as myoglobin and electrolytes, into the blood circulation.[1]

Causes

The causes can be divided into 3 categories:[2][3][4]

  • Traumatic or muscle compression.
  • Nontraumatic exertional.
  • Nontraumatic non-exertional.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Causes of Rhabdomyolysis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traumatic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Atraumatic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C01
 
 
 
 
 
 
C02
 
C03
 
 

Diagnosis

Physical Examination

A physical usually reveals no abnormalities, but there may be tenderness, weakness, or atrophy.

Electrocardiogram

The EKG can show non specific ST T wave changes and T wave inversions. Despite the very high level of CK, the criteria for MI requires a 5% MB index (may vary by assay and gender).

References

  1. Bagley WH, Yang H, Shah KH (2007). “Rhabdomyolysis”. Intern Emerg Med. 2 (3): 210–8. doi:10.1007/s11739-007-0060-8. PMID 17909702 PMID: 17909702 Check |pmid= value (help).
  2. Gabow PA, Kaehny WD, Kelleher SP (1982). “The spectrum of rhabdomyolysis”. Medicine (Baltimore). 61 (3): 141–52. doi:10.1097/00005792-198205000-00002. PMID 7078398 PMID: 7078398 Check |pmid= value (help).
  3. Melli G, Chaudhry V, Cornblath DR (2005). “Rhabdomyolysis: an evaluation of 475 hospitalized patients”. Medicine (Baltimore). 84 (6): 377–85. doi:10.1097/01.md.0000188565.48918.41. PMID 16267412 PMID: 16267412 Check |pmid= value (help).
  4. Torres PA, Helmstetter JA, Kaye AM, Kaye AD (2015). “Rhabdomyolysis: pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment”. Ochsner J. 15 (1): 58–69. PMC 4365849. PMID 25829882 PMID: 25829882 Check |pmid= value (help).

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Historical Perspective

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

First reports of rhabdomyolysis are thought to be from the Bible. The Book of Numbers reports many Israelites dying with “stained urine” during the exodus from Egypt. Historical reports indicate that consumption of quail that had eaten hemlock seeds on the island of Lesbos caused rhabdomyolysis. Quail related rhabdomyolysis still occurs in Greece and Algiers. [1] [2]

References

  1. Huerta-Alardín AL, Varon J, Marik PE (2005). “Bench-to-bedside review: Rhabdomyolysis — an overview for clinicians”. Crit Care. 9 (2): 158–69. doi:10.1186/cc2978. PMC 1175909. PMID 15774072 PMID: 15774072 Check |pmid= value (help).
  2. Rizzi D, Basile C, Di Maggio A, Sebastio A, Introna F, Rizzi R; et al. (1991). “Clinical spectrum of accidental hemlock poisoning: neurotoxic manifestations, rhabdomyolysis and acute tubular necrosis”. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 6 (12): 939–43. doi:10.1093/ndt/6.12.939. PMID 1798593 PMID: 1798593 Check |pmid= value (help).

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Classification

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References

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Pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pathophysiology

Severe cases of rhabdomyolysis often result in myoglobinuria, a condition wherein the myoglobin from muscle breakdown spills into the urine, making it dark, or “tea colored” (myoglobin contains heme, like hemoglobin, giving muscle tissue its characteristic red color). This condition can cause serious kidney damage in severe cases. The injured muscle also leaks potassium, leading to hyperkalemia, which may cause fatal disruptions in heart rhythm. In addition, myoglobin is metabolically degraded into potentially-toxic substances for the kidneys. Massive skeletal muscle necrosis may further aggravate the situation, by reducing plasma volumes and leading to shock and reduced bloodflow to the kidneys.

References

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Causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Venkata Sivakrishna Kumar Pulivarthi M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

The aetiological spectrum of rhabdomyolysis is extensive in many cases, multiple muscle insults are usually needed to produce rhabdomyolysis unless an underlying myopathy is present. The most common causes of rhabdomyolysis in adults are illicit drugs, alcohol abuse, medication, muscle diseases, trauma, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), seizures and immobility, Whereas in paediatric patients, the most common causes are viral myositis, trauma, connective tissue disorders, exercise, and drug overdose.[1]

Causes

Life-Threatening Causes

Common Causes

Causes by Pathophysiology

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rhadomyolysis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Traumatic or Muscle Compression
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non – Traumatic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Traumatic
Exertional
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Traumatic
Non-Exertional
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non – Traumatic Exertional Rhadomyolysis in a Normal Muscle
 
 
 
 
 
Non – Traumatic Exertional Rhadomyolysis in an Abnormal Muscle
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crush injury
Coma
Post ictal state
Post – Operative Surgical trauma
Electrical Injury
Compartment Syndrome
Immobilizaion
 
Exertional Heat Stroke
Sickle cell trait
Hyperkinetic States Such as
* Grand mal Seizures
* Delirium tremens
* Psychotic agitation
* Amphetamine Overdose
 
 
Metabolic myopathies
Mitochondrial myopathies
Malignant hyperthermia
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
 
 
 
❑ Drugs and toxins
Infections
Electrolyte abnormalities
Endocrinopathies
Inflammatory myopathies
❑ Miscellaneous
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Traumatic Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in an Abnormal Muscle
Metabolic myopathies Mitochondrial myopathies Malignant hyperthermia Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Disorders of glycogenolysis

Disorders of glycolysis

Disorders of lipid metabolism

Disorders of purine metabolism

Other defects

Volatile anesthetic agent

Depolarising Neuro-Muscular Blocker

Neuroleptics

Antiemetic agents

Anti Parkison drug withdrawl


Non-Traumatic Non-Exertional Causes
Infections
Viral infections :
Adenovirus, Coxsackievirus, Cytomegalovirus, Echovirus , Epstein-Barr , Herpes simplex, Human immunodeficiency virus, Influenza A and B, Parainfluenza
Bacterial infections :
Bacterial pyomyositis, Coxiella burnetii(Q fever), E. coli, Ehrlichiosis,Falciparum malaria, Legionella, Leptospirosis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Salmonella, Staphylococcal infection, Streptococcus, Tularemia
Electrolyte abnormalities
Hypokalemia, Hypophosphatemia
Endocrinopathies
Hypothyroidism, Diabetic ketoacidosis , Non-ketotic hyperglycemia
Inflammatory myopathies
Dermatomyositis, Polymyositis
Miscellaneous
Alcoholism, Baclofen withdrawl, Capillary leak syndrome, Status asthmaticus

Causes by Alphabetical Order

References

  1. Khan FY (2009) Rhabdomyolysis: a review of the literature. Neth J Med 67 (9):272-83. PMID: 19841484

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Symptoms
Differentiating Rhabdomyolysis from other Diseases

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References

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Epidemiology and Demographics

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References

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Risk Factors

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References

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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

References

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings | Electrocardiogram | X Ray | CT | MRI | Echocardiography or Ultrasound | Other Imaging Findings | Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Surgery | Primary Prevention | Secondary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case Studies

Case #1

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