Hypothyroidism-induced rhabdomyolysis and renal failure

Renal failure, due to rhabdomyolysis, is a rare complication of hypothyroidism. We report an elderly patient with primary hypothyroidism symptoms initially presented with inability to walk, leading to renal failure. Laboratory examinations disclosed rhabdomyolysis and primary hypothyroidism. Creatinine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and renal function test decreased to normal values shortly after thyroid hormone replacement. This report highlights that hypothyroidism should be considered in patients presenting with renal impairment associated with rhabdomyolysis.     

Acute renal failure during pregnancy secondary to spontaneous perirenal hematoma

A 32-year-old pregnant female presented with right flank pain, hematuria, and ARF at 25 weeks of gestation. Imaging studies demonstrated right perinephric hematoma, which compressed the inferior vena cava. ARF improved with expectant care as the hematoma gradually resolved.     

Acute renal failure secondary to leukocyte-mediated acute glomerular injury.

Acute glomerulonephritis can cause acute renal failure. Activated neutrophils and monocytes are major effectors of glomerulonephritic renal failure. Adhesion molecules, granule enzymes, reactive oxygen radicals, lipid metabolites, and cytokines of activated neutrophils and monocytes mediate glomerular capillary constriction, occlusion, and destruction. Injurious products and biologically active mediators released by activated leukocytes have profound functional effects on mesangial cells and endothelial cells, which in turn participate in the disturbance of glomerular function, for example, by altering capillary diameter and surface area. The glomerular inflammatory events result in decreased glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient and glomerular filtration rate, as well as other functional perturbations.     

A case of rhabdomyolysis induced acute renal failure secondary to statin-fibrate-derivative combination and occult hypothyroidism

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome characterized by muscle necrosis and the release of intracellular muscle contents into the systemic circulation. We hereby report a patient proved to be a case of unrecognized hypothyroidism presenting with rhabdomyolytic acute renal failure precipitated by the combined use of statin and fenofibrate. A 63-year-old woman was referred to our department because of fatigue, diffuse muscle pain and oliguria. On the basis of pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory examination the diagnoses of acute renal failure secondary to the statin-fibrate-derivative combination induced rhabdomyolysis and auto-immune thyroiditis induced hypothyroidism were made. Although saline, furosemide and sodium bicarbonate infusions enabled diuresis and have led to a rapid recovery of renal function and normalization of blood pressure in five days (creatinine level decreased from 4.5 mg/dl to 1.2 mg/dl), only thyroid replacement therapy (0,1 mg thyroxine) that begun after the exclusion of adrenal insufficiency resulted in complete resolution of rhabdomyolysis. This prompted the diagnosis of background, clinically silent rhabdomyolysis aggrevated by the statin-fibrate-derivative combination. To our knowledge this case illustrates the first example of rhabdomyolytic acute renal failure induced by a statin-fibrate-derivative combination with underlying hypothyroidism which was responsible for the basal clinically unobservable rhabdomyolysis.     

Acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis after proximal humerus fracture associated with axillary artery rupture

The anatomical proximity of axillary artery to the humeral head makes it quite vulnerable to blunt trauma during shoulder injury. Axillary artery rupture and prolonged ischemia may lead to rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Herein we present a case of a patient who sustained proximal humerus fracture associated with axillary artery rupture and acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis.     

Acute renal failure in rhabdomyolysis.

Fifteen to 30% of patients develop acute renal failure (ARF) following rhabdomyolysis and rhabdomyolysis accounts for 5 to 9% of all ARF. Experimental studies revealed two critical factors that predispose to myoglobinuric ARF: hypovolemia/dehydration and aciduria. At the nephron level, three basic mechanisms underlie heme protein toxicity: renal vasoconstriction with decreased renal blood flow, intraluminal cast formation and direct heme protein-induced cytotoxicity. During the early phase of myoglobinuric ARF, hemodynamic process are mainly involved in glomerumar filtration rate decrease while tubular mechanisms occur in the late phase. Critical factors which predispose to myoglobinuric ARF in animal models--i.e. hypovolemia/dehydration and aciduria--are also encountered in human epidemiological studies. Prevention of myoglobinuric ARF rely on rapid and adequate correction of fluid deficits with saline, bicarbonates and mannitol. The choice of hemodialysis technique in the case of constituted ARF strongly depends on the site of intervention, especially in the case of rescue operation. The care of myoglobinuric ARF in intensive care unit do not differ from this of ARF from other causes.     

Acute renal failure following nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis

The etiology and clinical course of acute nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis and ensuing renal failure was surveyed in a series of 40 consecutive patients. In 28 cases the muscle damage occurred after excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol and/or other intoxications. Prolonged lying immobilized was the reason or contributing factor for rhabdomyolysis in 22 cases. The other evident etiologies were convulsions, vigorous physical exercise, arterial occlusion and hypothermia. Typical local signs of rhabdomyolysis--pain, swelling and weakness of the affected muscles--were absent in one fourth of the patients. In these cases the diagnosis was based on transient elevation of serum creatine kinase enzyme activity. Dialyses were required to manage acute renal failure in 24 subjects. All 36 survivors recovered normal renal function. Neurological defects in the extremities still persisted in 16 patients at three months' follow-up.     

Acute renal failure caused by alcohol-induced rhabdomyolysis

5 cases of severe acute renal failure caused by ethyl alcohol-induced rhabdomyolysis are reviewed. 4 patients were dialyzed. All patients recovered completely from the renal failure.     

Acute renal failure due to nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis following binge drinking.

Nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis is an important but under-recognized cause of acute renal failure. In alcoholics, rhabdomyolysis most frequently develop following muscle necrosis during alcohol-induced coma, but has also been described rarely in those without prolonged coma or seizures. We describe a patient who developed myoglobinuric acute renal failure requiring dialysis following binge drinking in the absence of convulsions or coma. The renal biopsy showed acute tubular necrosis with pigment casts.     

Postoperative acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis from exaggerated lithotomy position.

Perioperative renal dysfunction is a common problem following urogenital surgery. The most common causes of renal failure include ischemic or nephrotoxic acute tubular necrosis, renal vascular injury, and urinary tract obstruction. This case conference describes a patient who developed acute renal failure, secondary to rhabdomyolysis after a 7-hour urologic surgical procedure in an exaggerated lithotomy position. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are essential to prevent or limit the severity of acute renal failure. A review of the literature and pathophysiology of acute renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis is included.     

Acute renal failure in a hypothyroid patient with rhabdomyolysis

A 49-year-old hypothyroid man developed rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. He had been on thyroid replacement therapy for 17 years following removal of a benign pituitary tumor. Rhabdomyolysis was diagnosed by elevated liver enzymes, CPK, and creatinine. The case illustrates how hypothyroidism can cause rhabdomyolysis and subsequently, acute renal failure.     

Acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis associated with radical perineal prostatectomy.

We report a case of acute renal failure due rhabdomyolysis as a result of the exaggerated lithotomy position during radical perineal prostatectomy. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, management, and preventive measures of acute renal failure associated with rhabdomyolysis are also reviewed.     

Acute renal failure associated with rhabdomyolysis in acute Q Fever

The clinical presentation of Q fever is polymorphic and non-specific, and it may be presented as an acute or chronic disease. Renal complications of acute Q fever such as acute glomerulonephritis are not uncommon. Acute renal failure induced by rhabdomyolysis in acute Q fever has until now never been reported in the literature. We presented a case of acute Q fever associated by extreme rhabdomyolysis and consecutive acute renal failure. A male patient was treated with doxycycline and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. After two weeks of treatment, the patient completely recovered kidney function, and there were no clinical abnormalities. Acute Q fever must be considered as a possible cause of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. The continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration may be effective, and it seems to be the treatment of choice in severe rhabdomyolysis and consecutive acute renal failure.     

Acute renal failure secondary to carcinomatous lymphatic metastases to kidneys

We report a rare case of acute renal failure secondary to bilateral renal parenchymal metastases from carcinoma. Despite clinical investigation the cause of the renal failure remained undiagnosed and was discovered only upon microscopy at autopsy, which revealed metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. The pattern of tumor infiltration was predominantly lymphatic involvement limited to the vascular bundles at the corticomedullary junction, and the lymphatics adjacent to the calices and pelves. The significance of lymphatic obstruction in the pathogenesis of renal failure is discussed. Renal parenchymal metastases should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure in patients with carcinoma.     

Acute renal failure with the combined use of rosuvastatin and fenofibrate

Among the lipid-lowering drugs, the statins and fibrates are the most commonly used agents. Either class of drug is considered relatively safe. Though a variety of albeit uncommon adverse side effects have been observed with both classes, most of these therapeutic complications can be managed without discontinuation of the offending drug. Sometimes, especially in patients with extremely high cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels, a combination regimen is deemed necessary. However, the combined use of lipid-lowering drugs increases the incidence and severity of adverse events. In this article, we report an unusual case of acute renal failure (ARF) in a patient who had been prescribed both a statin (rosuvastatin) and a fibrate (fenofibrate).