Flu Rhabdo

This is a case of influenza A induced rhabdomyolysis resulting in extensive compartment syndrome and acute renal failure in a 10-year-old child. The patient required fasciotomies in all four extremities. Even after fasciotomies were performed, the muscle tissue continued to swell, suggesting a primary myositis. This case emphasizes the importance of considering the diagnosis of compartment syndrome in patients with influenza infection and severe myalgia.

Rhabdomyolysis can be precipitated by trauma, ischemia, metabolic defects, electrolyte abnormalities, drugs, and a wide variety of infectious diseases. At our institution, recent cases of rhabdomyolysis induced by influenza prompted us to review the infectious etiologies of this entity. In addition, a thorough literature search revealed numerous case reports but no general review on this subject. This study describes representative recent cases from our institution and details the wide variety of infections that can cause muscle damage...

A 20-year-old male with massive rhabdomyolysis associated with a high fever and acute renal failure is reported. Influenza A infection was confirmed serologically. Myoglobin kinetics was studied in this case. Blood myoglobin fell exponentially independent of renal function or therapeutic modality such as hemodialysis/filtration, once myoglobin release into the circulation ceased. The finding suggested that catabolic steps of myoglobin take place extrarenally in patients with massive rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure...

A case of influenza A H3N2 resulting in unusually severe rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria is described. Although a rare complication of viral infection, prompt treatment with intravenous fluids can prevent the serious complications which may follow.

This paper describes a case of influenza A infection complicated by rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. This very rare complication is particularly important as symptoms may be non-specific and therefore ascribed to the underlying influenzal illness.

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