RHABDOMYOLYSIS AFTER INFECTION AND TAKING A COLD MEDICINE IN A PATIENT WHO WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA

\A case of rhabdomyolysis after a possible viral infection and the use of a cold medication is reported, A 41-year-old man who presented wit h dysarthria, dysphagia, progressive weakness of his muscles and a hig h grade fever was admitted, He suffered from massive rhabdomyolysis, a cute renal failure, and bronchopneumonia. Hemodialysis, antibiotics, a nd hydration therapy were effective in the treatment of his illness, A lthough the cause of the rhabdomyolysis was not completely clear, he w as subsequently shown to be susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) based on the results of a caffeine-halothane contracture test, When a mild recurrence occurred during a follow-up muscle biopsy, intravenou s dantrolene sodium was administered and he improved immediately, This case suggests that MH should be considered in patients with rhabdomyo lysis when the cause is unclear, The caffeine-halothane contracture te st may also be helpful in the diagnosis.