Rhabdomyolysis in autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia

Multiple mtDNA deletions have been reported to be a cause of inherited recurrent myoglobinuria. We report a 57-year-old man with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia and multiple mtDNA deletions who developed acute rhabdomyolysis provoked by alcohol. A repeated alcohol intake resulted in a 57-fold increase in serum myoglobin. Patients with mitochondrial myopathy and multiple mtDNA deletions, regardless of associated phenotype and mode of inheritance, may develop rhabdomyolysis.