A disorder involving injury to the kidney caused by toxic effects of the contents of muscle cells.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Myoglobin is an oxygen binding protein pigment found in the skeletal muscle . When the skeletal muscle is damaged, the myoglobin is released into the bloodstream. It is filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys. Myoglobin may occlude the structures of the kidney, causing damage such as acute tubular necrosis or kidney failure . Myoglobin breaks down into potentially toxic compounds, which will also cause kidney failure. Necrotic (dead tissue) skeletal muscle may cause massive fluid shifts from the bloodstream into the muscle, reducing the relative fluid volume of the body and leading to shock and reduced blood flow to the kidneys. The disorder may be caused by any condition that results in damage to skeletal muscle, especially trauma. Risk factors include:

severe exertion such as marathon running or calisthenics

ischemia or

necrosis of the muscles (as may occur with arterial occlusion , deep venous thrombosis , or other conditions)

seizures

use or overdose of drugs-especially

cocaine , amphetamines, statins, heroin , or PCP

trauma

shaking chills

heat intolerance

and/or

heatstroke

alcoholism

(with subsequent muscle

tremors )

low phosphate levels

Signs and tests

An examination reveals tender or damaged skeletal muscles.

A

urinalysis may reveal casts and be positive for hemoglobin without evidence of red blood cells on microscopic examination.

A

urine myoglobin test is positive.

A

serum myoglobin test is positive.

A

CPK is very high.

A

serum potassium may be very high (potassium is released from cells into the bloodstream when there is cell breakdown). This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

creatinine - urine

creatinine

CPK isoenzymes

Treatment

Early and aggressive hydration may prevent complications by rapidly eliminating the myoglobin out of the kidneys. The hydration needs with

muscle necrosis may approximate the massive fluid volume needs of a severely burned patient. This may involve intravenous administration of several liters of fluid until the condition stabilizes. Diuretic medications such as mannitol or furosemide may aid in flushing the pigment out of the kidneys. If the urine output is sufficient, bicarbonate may be given to maintain an alkaline urine state. This helps to prevent the dissociation of myoglobin into toxic compounds. Hyperkalemia should be treated if present. Kidney failure should be treated as appropriate.

Expectations (prognosis)

The outcome varies depending on the extent of kidney damage incurred.

Complications

acute tubular necrosis

acute renal failure

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate rhabdomyolysis may be present.

Prevention

After any condition that may involve damage to skeletal muscle , hydration should be adequate to dilute the urine and flush the myoglobin out of the kidney. (See "Treatment".)