[Diagnostic approach to rhabdomyolysis]

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome related to the damage of skeletal muscle. The symptomatology is often poor, but it classically includes muscle weakness, myalgia and red-brown urine. The causes may be multiple but are most frequently traumatic : the so-called "crush syndrome". The diagnosis is based on the increase in serum creatine kinase, which is sometimes associated with myoglobinuria. Rhabdomyolysis may cause severe complications, such as ionic disorders or acute kidney injury which can lead to the death of the patient.