Minor blunt injury-induced rhabdomyolysis from a road traffic accident in Nigeria

• Published in: Nigerian medical journal Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 102 - 105
• Main Authors: Anyabolu, Ernest, Okoye, Innocent, Chukwuonye, Innocent, Anyabolu, Arthur, Dike, Kenneth, Ufoaroh, Chinyelu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Nigeria Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-03-2020; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Accidents; Blunt trauma; Case Report; Creatine; Creatine kinase; Kidney diseases; Rhabdomyolysis; Traffic accidents; Nigeria; rhabdomyolysis; minor blunt injuries; Nigeria; road traffic accident; Acute renal failure
• ISSN: 0300-1652; 2229-774X
• DOI: 10.4103/nmj.NMJ_114_19

Rhabdomyolysis, though not a common complication of minor blunt trauma, may result in life-threatening acute kidney injury (AKI). Here is illustrated a case of a young male who sustained minor blunt injuries in a road traffic accident, which he overlooked and presented with features of severe AKI. The patient is a 24-year-old male, who presented with progressive weakness, difficulty in walking, and features of uremia, 14 days after he sustained minor blunt injuries and lacerations in a road traffic accident. Evaluation showed elevated serum creatine kinase, serum myoglobin, and severe azotemia. He was commenced on hemodialysis. He was also commenced on antibiotics, analgesic, and 5% dextrose/saline. He had three sessions of hemodialysis on alternate days. His condition improved remarkably after the first session of dialysis. He was discharged after 18 days on admission. Follow-up in the clinic showed a normal renal function. This case report shows rhabdomyolysis from minor blunt injuries sustained in a road traffic accident and complicated by severe AKI. The patient almost recovered full renal function with management.