Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants
07:59

Functional Characterization of Endogenously Expressed Human RYR1 Variants

Published on: June 9, 2021

Rhabdomyolysis caused by peripheral T-cell lymphoma in skeletal muscle

Koichi Sasaki1, Masaya Yamato, Keiko Yasuda

  • 1Department of Nephrology, Osaka Kosei Nenkin Hospital, Osaka, Japan.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|July 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) can cause rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition leading to muscle breakdown and acute kidney injury. Early diagnosis and treatment of PTCL are crucial for managing this complication.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nephrology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas.
  • Rhabdomyolysis, the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, can lead to acute kidney injury.
  • The association between PTCL and rhabdomyolysis is rare and not well-documented.

Observation:

  • A 62-year-old male presented with sudden muscle weakness, elevated creatinine phosphokinase (62,640 IU/L), and acute kidney injury (serum creatinine 5.0 mg/dL).
  • Imaging revealed tumorous swelling in the psoas major and obturator internus muscles.
  • The patient subsequently developed fever and hemophagocytic syndrome, with markedly elevated ferritin levels (104,707.0 ng/mL).

Findings:

  • Inguinal lymph node biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PTCL.
  • The patient was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis secondary to PTCL.
  • Treatment with hydration, hemodiafiltration, and methylprednisolone pulse therapy led to significant improvement in renal function and tumor reduction.

Implications:

  • This case highlights that PTCL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained rhabdomyolysis, especially in the absence of common causes like trauma or drug toxicity.
  • Prompt recognition and management of PTCL-induced rhabdomyolysis can improve patient outcomes and prevent irreversible kidney damage.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms linking PTCL and skeletal muscle injury.

Related Concept Videos

Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy01:21

Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy

Satellite stem cells or myosatellite cells are quiescent stem cells that Alexander Mauro first identified in 1961. These cells are located between the sarcolemma, the plasma membrane of muscle fibers, and the basal lamina, the connective tissue sheath covering it. These mononucleated cells are activated in response to muscle injury, can transform into myoblasts, and may form or repair muscle fibers. Myosatellite cells can provide additional myonuclei for muscle regeneration or return to a...
Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology

The disease process of myasthenia gravis begins at the neuromuscular junction, where antibodies attack key proteins needed for muscle activation. This immune reaction weakens signal transmission, leading to the characteristic muscle fatigue and weakness that define the condition.Immune-Mediated DamageIn most individuals, antibodies target acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane of muscle cells. By blocking acetylcholine binding, these antibodies prevent the nerve signal...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
Cross-bridge Cycle01:26

Cross-bridge Cycle

As muscle contracts, the overlap between the thin and thick filaments increases, decreasing the length of the sarcomere—the contractile unit of the muscle—using energy in the form of ATP. At the molecular level, this is a cyclic, multistep process that involves binding and hydrolysis of ATP, and movement of actin by myosin.
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll01:11

Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...