Atypical presentation of rhabdomyolysis due to hypokalaemia induced by diuretics abuse: Case report from Sierra Leone

Rev Fac Cien Med Univ Nac Cordoba. 2018 Nov 13;75(4):310-313. doi: 10.31053/1853.0605.v75.n4.20398.

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis results from acute necrosis of skeletal muscle fibres and consequent leakage of muscle constituents into the circulation. Its association with anything different than trauma in the Emergency Room is not that frequent. We present the case of a 47-year-old male, hypertensive, that developed weakness and incapability to walk without help, finding on the blood biochemistry that he had developed a rhabdomyolysis due to hipokalemia after abusing of diuretics.

La rabdomiólisis es el resultado de la necrosis de las fibras musculoesqueléticas y la consiguiente fuga de constituyentes musculares a la circulación. Su asociación con algo diferente a un trauma en la sala de emergencias no es tan frecuente. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 47 años, hipertenso, con historia de abuso de diuréticos, desarrollando debilidad e incapacidad para caminar por sus propios medios, encontrando en la bioquímica sanguínea que había padecía rabdomiólisis por hipocalemia.

Keywords: rhabdomyolysis; hipokalemia; diuretics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diuretics / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Hypokalemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypokalemia / complications*
  • Hypokalemia / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Potassium / therapeutic use
  • Rhabdomyolysis / etiology*
  • Sierra Leone

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Potassium