[Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis in medical practice]

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis, meaning "disintegration of striated muscle", is a potentially life-threatening syndrome resulting from release of muscular cell constituents into the circulation. The aim of this study is to determine frequence and causes of rhabomyolysis in internal medicine practice, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic discussions, based on a retrospective study in patients addressed to a medical clinic of an universitary emergency hospital.

Results: The most common causes of rhabdomyolysis in general practice are represented by muscular trauma, muscle enzyme deficiencies, electrolyte abnormalities, infections, drugs, toxins and endocrine disorders. Frequent encountered clinical manifestations are weakness, myalgia and tea-colored urine, and the most sensitive laboratory finding of muscle injury is an elevated plasma creatine kinase level. The management of patients with rhabdomyolysis includes early vigorous hydration, together with specific measures (urine alkalinization, mannitol, hemodialysis).