Case of the Month #27 - rhabdomyolysis

Published 02/03/2022

What investigations are important in suspected rhabdomyloysis?

  • CK (most definitions state > 5000u/L as diagnostic and associated with AKI)
  • Renal function- AKI and hyperkalaemia
  • Bone profile – Hypocalcaemia due to calcium entering the ischemic muscle cells and calcium phosphate precipitation in necrotic muscle
  • Blood gas – lactic acidaemia
  • Anion gap – raised
  • ECG – features of hyperkalaemia
  • Urine dipstick (+ve for blood, but is a false +ve as it is due to urine Myoglobin)