Abnormal liver function tests associated with severe rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome of skeletal muscle injury with release of cellular constituents such as potassium,phosphate,urate and intracellular proteins such as myoglobin into the circulation,which may cause complications including acute kidney injury,electrolyte disturbance and cardiac instability.Abnormal liver function tests are frequently observed in cases of severe rhabdomyolysis.Typically,there is an increase in serum aminotransferases,namely aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase.This raises the question of liver injury and often triggers a pathway of investigation which may lead to a liver biopsy.However,muscle can also be a source of the increased aminotransferase activity.This review discusses the dilemma of finding abnormal liver function tests in the setting of muscle injury and the potential implications of such an association.It delves into some of the clinical and experimental evidence for correlating muscle injury to raised aminotransferases,and discusses pathophysiological mechanisms such as oxidative stress which may cause actual liver injury.Serum aminotransferases lack tissue specificity to allow clinicians to distinguish primary liver injury from muscle injury.This review also explores potential approaches to improve the accuracy of our diagnostic tools,so that excessive or unnecessary liver investigations can be avoided.     

Hypokaliemic rhabdomyolysis associated with liquorice ingestion: report of an atypical case

We here present an unusual case of hypokaliemic rhabdomyolysis, characterised by a sthenic deficit exclusively involving the distal muscles of the upper limbs and secondary to chronic glycyrrhizic acid intoxication, and by the absence of even ictal arterial hypertension.We discuss the etiopathogenetic bases and the risks related to the development of this secondary hypokaliemic syndrome, also in relation to other concomitant risk factors such as prolonged physical exercise and exposure to low temperatures.The study was supported in part by the Scuola di Specializzazione in Neurologia, Università degli Studi di Ferrara.     

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in a patient with head injury

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an idiosyncratic reaction associated with the use of neuroleptic drugs. We report a case of this rare syndrome in a head injury patient associated with some unusual features: rhabdomyolysis with a high level of creatine kinase, the development of acute renal failure, the early use of continuous venovenous haemofiltration in treatment and rigidity that was refractory to conventional treatment with dantrolene and bromocriptine. The diagnosis in patients with multiple injuries must be based on a high index of suspicion.     

Fatal Rhabdomyolysis in a Patient with Head Injury

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare but potentially life-threatening disorder caused by the release of injured skeletal muscle components into the circulation. The authors report a case of severe head injury, in which a hyperosmolar state and continuous seizure complicated by severe rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure evolved during the course of treatment resulted in a fatal outcome despite intensive supportive treatment. Our bitter experience suggests that rhabdomyolysis should be born in mind in patients with severe head injury who may develop hyperosmolar state and continuous seizure.     

Diabetic ketoacidosis and rhabdomyolysis following excessive intake of a weight reducing diet

With the awareness of health problems related to obesity, weight reducing diets have become very popular. However, if these meal supplements are not taken as recommended, they can cause considerable harm in high risk individuals. We report a case of a young obese man who developed diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) followed by rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure (ARF) after excessive intake of a high carbohydrate containing weight-reducing meal. DKA associated with excessive intake of weight reducing diets has not been reported previously. In people with obesity and insulin resistance improper use of these supplements can cause severe metabolic complications.     

Compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis as a positioning complication following retrosigmoid craniotomy

The goal of surgical positioning is to provide optimal surgical access and visualization while maintaining the patient's safety, with the least physiological compromise. Here, we report a 30-year-old man with an unremarkable past medical history who developed superior vena cava syndrome after a 15-hour retrosigmoid craniotomy for removal of a right cerebellopontine (CP) angle tumor. Compartment syndrome from the head to neck and rhabdomyolysis were recognized, with extensive swelling of his head and neck, markedly swollen soft tissues and necrosis of multiple muscles revealed by computed tomography, and very high concentrations of creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate transaminase. Immediate intensive care and rehabilitation therapy were provided and aimed at maintaining adequate perfusion/oxygenation and decreasing tissue pressure. He was successfully weaned from ventilation on postoperative day (POD) 25, transferred to a general ward on POD 29, and discharged with mild muscular and neurological sequelae on POD 51. Careful adjustment of surgical positioning is crucial for patient safety, especially when positioned at an extreme position in association with prolonged surgery.     

一例横纹肌溶解症并大疱性表皮松解症病人的护理

<正>横纹肌溶解症(Rhabdomyolysis)是指任何原因引起的广泛横纹肌细胞坏死,其结果是肌细胞内容物外漏至细胞外液及血液循环中,并可导致急性肾功能衰竭、电解质紊乱等一系列并发症,病情凶险,预后差。诊断标准:血清肌酸肌酶(CK)2 000U/L。临床表现为肌强直或疼痛、重症肌无力、尿色异常。最常见的是胖肠肌和腰背部肌肉出现痉挛性疼痛、压痛、肌无力[1]。大疱性表皮松解     

重叠综合征并发横纹肌溶解症一例

74岁女性患者,手足及口周部位皮肤变硬2个月余,伴乏力、酱油色尿1个月。血清肌酸激酶4 242 U/L,肌红蛋白1 124 ng/ml。诊断为重叠综合征并发横纹肌溶解症。经甲泼尼龙80 mg每日1次、甲氨蝶呤15 mg每周1次治疗,效果不理想,转入肾病内科行血液净化治疗。血清肌红蛋白恢复正常后,继续口服甲泼尼龙40 mg每日1次,定期复诊并缓慢减量。目前甲泼尼龙减量至16 mg/d,己持续治疗1年,血清肌酸激酶及肌红蛋白均在正常范围。