Acute Renal Failure due to Rhabdomyolysis Following Human Stampede.

Acute renal failure (ARF) following rhabdomyolysis is a well known entity. In this paper, we present an unusual cause for trauma that resulted in rhabdomyolysis associated with renal failure. Rhabdomyolysis resulted from human stampede that occurred in a mountain tunnel on the occasion of The Pilgrimage to Makkah in 1990. To the best of our knowledge, human stampede as a cause of rhabdomyolysis has not been reported in the literature. A total of eight patients were referred to our center. Laboratory investigations revealed rhabdomyolysis as well as evidence of moderate to severe renal impairment in all patients. They were treated with forced alkaline diuresis, but three required hemodialysis. All patients recovered. Treatment with forced alkaline diuresis was found to be useful in the treatment of these patients and instituting such treatment is worthwhile even in those cases where renal failure is established.