Rhabdomyolysis induced by hyperosmolarity secondary to severe hypernatremia in a patient with trauma brain injury: A case report

Abstract

Hypernatremia is defined by an increase in blood sodium concentration greater than 145 mmol/l. The incidence of this disorder is 3 to 10% in intensive care patients, and varies from 10 to 50% in brain-injured patients. Severe hypernatremia greater than 190 mmol/l may be associated with rhabdomyolysis in rare cases described in the literature. The authors describe a case of a patient with severe head trauma in intensive care who presented this combination of disorders whose diagnosis must be early and correction must be careful in order to maintain hydro-electrolyte homeostasis, especially in patients with a compromised neurological prognosis.