General convulsions and rhabdomyolysis. Case reports.

Two patients who developed rhabdomyolysis secondary to generalized seizures are presented. Minor traumas of skeletal muscles due to seizures may be associated with myoglobinuria and the development of acute renal failure. The diagnosis rhabdomyolysis may easily be confirmed by following serum creatine kinase. Myoglobinuria is present if the urine turns dark brown with a heavily positive dipstick for urinary hemoglobin while microscopy of urinary sediment contains but a few red blood cells. Darkly pigmented granular urinary casts may also be present. In order to prevent development of acute renal failure, it is important to keep the diuresis high and alkaline. If renal failure develops it is usually reversible, but may necessitate peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis for a couple of weeks.