[Complications of an idiopathic rhabdomyolysis (Meyer-Betz syndrome) after physical exertion].

A few hours after a 15 km march a 19-year-old man developed a fever of 40 degrees C, accompanied by hemoptysis, tarry stools and pain in the thigh. On physical examination there was tenderness and swelling over the shoulders, upper arms and thighs as well as petechiae, bruises, hepatomegaly, pain on percussion over the kidney region and signs of hypovolaemia. There was leukocytosis (18,800/microliters) and increased creatinase activity (3900 U/l, rising to 66,300 U/l after 24 h). The platelet count fell from 147,000 to 11,000/microliters, the fibrinogen level to 0.25 milligrams. On the second day serum creatinine was 4.1 mg/dl, urine volume 50 ml/24 h, urinary myoglobin concentration 120,000 micrograms/l. The Quick value dropped to under 3%, while liver enzymes and bilirubin concentration rose. The rhabdomyolysis caused acute respiratory failure, despite symptomatic treatment of the acute renal failure and consumption coagulopathy, but after 8 weeks of intensive treatment the patient was discharged without symptoms. No cause other than the preceding physical exertion was found for the rhabdomyolysis. Muscle biopsy revealed unspecific changes 4 1/2 months after discharge.