Gasoline vapors induce severe rhabdomyolysis

A young patient developed rhabdomyolysis after accidentally inhaling gasoline vapors. Although there had been no preexistent myopathy, the caffeine and halothane contracture test classified the patient as being malignant hyperthermia-susceptible (MHS). Abnormal contractures also occurred after exposure of muscle bundles to benzine (at 0.01%); in four control tests, benzine-induced contractures (at 0.1%) could be elicited in MHS, but not in normal, muscles. The complex composition of benzine seems to contain potentially hazardous agents that trigger MH.