Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Rhabdomyolysis: A Rare Complication of Low-Energy Trauma

INTRODUCTION: Crush syndrome refers to the systemic manifestation of muscle cell injury following release of myocyte contents into the blood circulation. It is seen most commonly in patients sustaining high-energy trauma. Acute kidney injury is one of the most serious complications of crush syndrome and is an important cause of mortality in these patients. In contrast, the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis in patients sustaining low-energy trauma is sparsely reported in the literature. The authors report one such rare case. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 77-year-old hypertensive male who presented to the emergency following an episode of slip and fall at home. After prompt resuscitation, he was sent for radiological evaluation which revealed fractures of the left inter-trochanteric femur and left proximal humerus. Meanwhile, laboratory investigations showed grossly deranged renal parameters, along with elevated serum creatinine phosphokinase levels (more than 5 times the baseline). A diagnosis of acute kidney injury secondary to traumatic rhabdomyolysis was made. Medical management included adequate intravenous fluid administration combined with strict input-output monitoring. Subsequently, the patient underwent closed reduction and internal fixation of the inter-trochanteric femur fracture with a proximal femoral nail. However, fracture of the proximal humerus was managed non-operatively with sling immobilization as patient refused to give consent for a second surgery. CONCLUSION: Although rare, acute kidney injury secondary to rhabdomyolysis can occur in patients with low-energy trauma. It is important not to confuse it with chronic renal insufficiency, especially in geriatrics many of whom are long-standing hypertensives.