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Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening syndrome that can develop from a variety of causes; the classic findings of muscular aches, weakness and tea-coloured urine are non-specific and may not always be present. The diagnosis therefore rests upon the presence of a high level of suspicion of any abnormal laboratory values in the mind of the treating physician. An elevated plasma creatine kinase (CK) level is the most sensitive laboratory finding pertaining to muscle injury; whereas hyperkalaemia, acute renal failure and compartment syndrome represent the major life-threatening complications. The management of the condition includes prompt and aggressive fluid resuscitation, elimination of the causative agents and treatment and prevention of any complications that may ensue. The objective of this review is to describe the aetiological spectrum and pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis, the clinical and biological consequences of this syndrome and to provide an appraisal of the current data available in order to facilitate the prevention, early diagnosis and prompt management of this condition.

Objectives: In this study we describe the clinical presentation and electrolyte disturbances of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) in patients admitted to the Department of Medicine at Hamad General Hospital., Methods: Retrospective descriptive study involving patients admitted to the medical department of Hamad General Hospital with paralysis and hyperthyroidism., Results: Eighteen patients with TPP were identified over a three-year period (2004-2007). Their mean age was 32.4 +/- 8.52 years (range 21 to 48 years); all were males. Eleven patients were from the Philippines, five were from Nepal, one was Indian and one was from Sri Lanka. Fourteen patients (77.8%) had the attack in the summer while the remaining four in winter. Nine had a history of severe exertion, five had ingested a heavy carbohydrate meal, two had a sore throat, one had ingested alcoholic and one was without a precipitating cause. Fifteen patients had no previous history of hyperthyroidism. Later on, all patients proved to have hyperthyroidism. All patients were hypokalaemic, while seven patients had hypophosphataemia and three had hypomagnesaemia. Urinary potassium was <20 mmol/l in all patients. Fifteen patients had ECG changes. All patients had proximal myopathy. Twelve patients had signs of hyperthyroidism in the form of goitre, warm sweaty palms, tachycardia, and tremor. Nine patients had attacks of paralysis before diagnosis. After discharge, ten patients had recurrences within one to seven months., Conclusion: The causes of hypokalaemia and lower-extremity paralysis are numerous; TPP should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of all acute episodes of motor paralysis, especially in young Asian male patients.