Trauma and COVID-Induced Severe Rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has been implicated in a number of extra-pulmonary manifestations including rhabdomyolysis. It is hypothesized to be secondary to direct muscle damage from the virus. The usual treatment of rhabdomyolysis is resuscitation with aggressive fluid management to prevent acute renal failure. However, the combination of blunt thoracic trauma and COVID pneumonia has posed additional challenges for critical care management. A 68-year-old male presented to our institution after being found down for an unknown duration of time. He was diagnosed symptomatic COVID pneumonia. His traumatic injuries included 4 rib fractures, a rectus sheath hematoma, and rhabdomyolysis with a creatinine kinase (CK) level of 16,716 U/L. He was initially treated with steroids, prone positioning, and aggressive fluid administration. Despite treatment his CK level peaked at 146,328 U/L. Here we present the case of trauma and COVID-induced rhabdomyolysis with an extremely elevated CK level.