A case of severe dehydration with marked rhabdomyolysis.

A 23-year-old male was admitted to hospital with severe dehydration and hypokalemic myopathy due to secondary aldosteronism. On admission serum sodium and chloride were markedly elevated to 198 mEq/l and 169 mEq/l, respectively, and serum potassium was down to 2.3 mEq/l. Serum electrolytes were normalized by transfusion therapy, but subsequently rhabdomyolysis grew worse due to metabolic abnormalities such as dehydration, hypothermia, oppressive ischemia and metabolic acidosis, at the same time transient polyuria and the elevation of serum myoglobin and enzymes originating in muscle tissue were observed. Serum CPK went up to 26,532 IU/l on the sixth day and other enzymes reached a peak following CPK. Dexamethasone was administered when the increase in enzyme levels caused the patient to fall into a stupor. He rapidly regained consciousness from the 15th day after admission, and he was able to stand up on the 29th day. Serum enzymes originating in muscle tissue decreased gradually to the normal range by the 30th day and no renal failure occurred.