[Rhabdomyolisis associated with alcohol and cocaine intake]

We report a case of rhabdomyolisis in association with alcohol and cocaine intake. An 18 year-old boy consumed cocaine and alcohol and afterwards suffered from hyperthermia and rhabdomyolisis associated with decreased conscious level, severe renal insufficiency requiring hemodialysis, and persistent metabolic acidemia. Creatine phosphokinase raised up to 40.824 UI/l. He recovered two weeks later but a year of kinesiology treatment was required in order to recover strength and muscular mass. Rhabdomyolisis, a well documented complication of cocaine and other undue drugs, has been reported in 24% of cocaine users. The mechanism of cocaine-associated rhabdomyolisis is unclear but should be related with direct toxicity and/or ischemia due to vasoconstriction explained by the inhibition of the presinaptic reuptake of catecholamins. In unexplained cases of rhabdomyolisis, cocaine and other undue drugs consumption should be suspected.