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Rhabdomyolysis Updated 4/2011

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Etiology

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • Surgery
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Diet
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • Breakdown (necrosis) of skeletal muscle cells and release of the intracellular contents into the circulation
  • Rhabdomyolysis typically manifests with muscle aches, pains and weakness, and reddish brown (tea-colored) urine, but up to 50% of patients are asymptomatic.
Epidemiology
Incidence

26,000 hospitalized cases annually

Risk Factors

See Etiology.

Genetics
  • Hereditary causes of rhabdomyolysis are infrequent but should be suspected in the following groups presenting with rhabdomyolysis: Children, patients with recurrent attacks, or patients with attacks after minimal exertion, mild illness, or starvation.
  • Main inherited disorders include:
    • Lipid metabolism (e.g., carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency, long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase)
    • Carbohydrate metabolism (e.g., most common is myophosphorylase deficiency aka McArdle disease, phosphofructokinase deficiency, phosphoglycerate mutase )
    • Mitochondrial disorders (e ...

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