Rhabdomyolysis leading to acute kidney injury

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis constitutes an uncommon cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). A large variety of causes with different pathogenic mechanisms may involve skeletal muscles resulting in rhabdomyolysis with or without acute kidney injury. Crush syndrome and unaccustomed physical exertion are the most common causes of rhabdomyolysis. This study reports local cases of AKI secondary to rhabdomyolysis that presented to a tertiary care centre over a period of four years. Most of them were males and belonged to younger age group. Muscle enzyme creatine phosphokinase level was raised in all patients, while myoglobinuria was detected only in one patient. Most of the patients (10/16) were managed conservatively with fluid replacement; and some of them (6/16) needed dialysis. AKI was resolved in all the patients after a variable period of time.