[Rhabdomyolysis following nephrectomy for pyonephrosis: a case report]

A 33-year-old man with chronic alcoholism presented with left flank pain and a low-grade fever. He had a previous history of left renal calculi treated by extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy 3 months previously at a local hospital. Since a stone was impacted at the ureteropelvic junction resulting in septic hydronephrosis, a D-J catheter was introduced to relieve the condition. He underwent fluid therapy with antibiotics. Elective pyelolithotomy was scheduled on day 10. However, persistent pyonephrosis necessitated the removal of the infected kidney. Hyperthermia over 40 degrees C continued after surgery and dark urine developed on postoperative day 2. Rhabdomyolysis was suspected because of myoglobulinemia with a high creatine phosphokinase level. Systemic cooling and treatment with fluid and diuretics saved his renal function. He survived episodic malignant hyperthermia and was discharged from intensive care unit on postoperative day 5.