RHABDOMYOLYSIS AND TRUNCULAR SCIATIC PAIN - MRI STUDY OF 2 CASES

We report two cases of acute rhabdomyolysis in pelvic girdle muscles w ith sciatic palsy secondary to compression of the sciatic nerve trunk, with clinical and MRI correlation. The diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is based on clinical and biological data, but diagnosis of compression c omplications secondary to swelling of the muscles, especially the comp ression of nerve trunk, is done by imaging. T2 weighted images give a definite anatomical evaluation. They show enlarged high signal intensi ty muscles and anatomic relationship with the sciatic nerve from its e mergence out of pelvis, giving a good correlation between rhabdomyolys is and the compressed nervous trunk. II helps for planning a possible surgical fasciotomy. However, MRI provides only morphological informat ions, but not differentiates edema from necrosis in involved muscles.