Ann Rehabil Med.  2014 Aug;38(4):559-562. 10.5535/arm.2014.38.4.559.

Rhabdomyolysis in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Presenting With Nausea and Vomiting as Chief Complaints: A Case Report

• Kim HR
• Oh HM
• Choi AS
• Lee JI

• KMID: 2165740
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2014.38.4.559

Abstract

Dealing with complications is crucial in the management of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). We describe a case of rhabdomyolysis in SCI without apparent soft tissue injury, presenting with nausea and vomiting as chief complaints. Given that gastrointestinal discomfort is common in SCI, this case highlights the need to consider rhabdomyolysis as a potential cause of unexplained nausea and vomiting in SCI, and indicate the value of regular check-up of creatine kinase level in SCI patients. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent acute renal failure that can occur with rhabdomyolysis and minimize the potential threat of declined renal function in SCI patients.

Keyword

Spinal cord injuries; Rhabdomyolysis; Nausea

MeSH Terms

Acute Kidney Injury
Creatine Kinase
Early Diagnosis
Humans
Nausea*
Rhabdomyolysis*
Soft Tissue Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Vomiting*
Creatine Kinase

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Serial level of blood chemistry. Rhabdomyolysis was diagnosed on hospital day (HD) 35. CK, creatine kinase; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; ALP, alkaline phosphatase; BUN, blood urea nitrogen; Cr, creatinine.

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