A case of acute kidney injury caused by unexplained rhabdomyolysis misdiagnosed as liver failure

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome characterized by damage to the integrity of skeletal muscle cell membranes, massive release of intracellular contents (such as myoglobin, creatine kinase, and electrolytes) into the bloodstream, thereby triggering systemic pathophysiological responses. Its most common and severe complication is acute kidney injury, primarily resulting from the combined effects of myoglobin deposition in renal tubules and renal ischemia. Due to lack of specific early clinical manifestations, patients are often misdiagnosed or experience delayed treatment, which can lead to exacerbation of the condition and even life-threatening consequences. This article reports a case of a patient who presented with unexplained rhabdomyolysis at onset and subsequently developed acute kidney injury during the course of the disease. A systematic analysis and discussion of the potential etiology are conducted based on the patient's clinical features and laboratory test results.