CHRONIC SALICYLATE INTOXICATION AND RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN A PATIENT WITH SCLERODERMA AND SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

A 44-year-old woman with scleroderma and Sjogren's syndrome developed altered consciousness, acute renal failure, and rhabdomyolysis. She ha d no history of trauma, seizures, alcohol abuse, hyperthermia, or othe r possible causative factors for rhabdomyolysis. A high serum salicyla te level indicated a diagnosis of salicylate intoxication. Medical his tory after recovery revealed chronic salicylate ingestion for severe h eadaches. This is possibly the first reported case of rhabdomyolysis c aused by chronic salicylate intoxication. Continuous hemodiafiltration early in hospitalization was an effective treatment.