Retrospective comparison of renal ultrasonographic and clinical findings in patients with rhabdomyolysis

Background: This study evaluated the ultrasonographic and clinical findings of two groups with rhabdomyolysis, who showed abnormal or normal ultrasonographic findings of kidneys. Methods: Two groups (n = 78) of abnormal (A) and normal (B) renal ultrasonographic findings were included. Multiple laboratory findings were assessed within 2 days before or after ultrasonography. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The variable causes of rhabdomyolysis were intense exercise, burn, operation, shivering, and drug intoxication, etc. Group A (n = 26; M:F = 19:7) showed enlarged both kidneys, increased parenchymal thickness, and increased (n = 23, 88.5%) or decreased (n = 3, 11.5%) cortical echogenicity. Group A also showed elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, potassium, and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), compared with those in Group B (n = 52; M:F = 36:16), and these results were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The myoglobin in serum and urine, creatine kinase, prothrombin time, dark urine, and microscopic hematuria were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients with elevated BUN, creatinine, potassium, and prolonged aPTT showed the ultrasonographic findings of acute kidney injury, but other parameters were not statistically different between the two groups.