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World Journal of Emergency Medicine ›› 2012, Vol. 3 ›› Issue (1): 71-73.doi: 10.5847/wjem.j.issn.1920-8642.2012.01.013

• Case Reports • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A potentially life-threatening complication of university orientation activities

Ling Pong Leung()   

  1. Accident & Emergency Department, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
  • Received:2011-05-23 Accepted:2011-09-26 Online:2012-03-15 Published:2012-03-15
  • Contact: Ling Pong Leung E-mail:lpleung@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: This case report describes a university student who participated in an orientation activity and developed exertional rhabdomyolysis.

METHODS: With prompt intravenous volume expansion started in the accident and emergency department, he made an uneventful recovery despite a marked elevation of creatine kinase. The risk factors of developing exertional rhabdomyolysis were reviewed. Suggestions based on these risk factors were made to the organizers of such orientation programmes.

RESULTS: He was discharged on day 6. On follow-up on day 8 after presentation at the accident and emergency department, the CK level was 46 000 U/L and it fell to 2600 U/L in another 2 weeks. On follow-up 3 weeks after the incident, he remained well without symptoms.

CONCLUSION: For the clinicians, once rhadbomyolysis is suspected or diagnosed, intravenous fluid therapy with a crystalloid should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of acute renal faiure.

Key words: Rhadbomyolysis, Acute renal faiure