Abstract:
Heroin abuse causes various medical and surgical complications. We report a case of heroin-induced severe bilateral compartment syndrome complicated by rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and extremely elevated creatinine kinase. A 30-year-old male heroin addict presented to the emergency department of Mount Vernon Hospital, Mount Vernon, New York complaining of severe pain and burning sensation in both legs and feet 1 day after abusing intravenous heroin. He had severe swelling and tenderness of both legs and feet. Laboratory data revealed tremendous elevation of creatine kinase (236,000 IU/L) consistent with rhabdomyolysis. Acute renal failure developed over subsequent days. Treatment consisted of fasciotomy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) and supportive therapy. The condition gradually improved over 4 weeks and the patient did not require dialysis or amputation.
Abdullah, Al-Waili, Butler, Baban, , , , , (2006). Hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunctive therapy for bilateral compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure after heroin intake. Archives of medical research, 2006 May;37(4):559-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16624660