Rhabdomyolysis Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Aug 30, 2020
  • Author: Marietta Morales De Guzman, MD; Chief Editor: Lawrence K Jung, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

A preliminary diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis requires a high index of suspicion. A definitive diagnosis is achieved by means of laboratory evaluation (see Workup).

In addition to the conditions listed in the differential diagnosis, other problems to be considered include the following:

  • Traumatic injuries (including nonaccidental abuse in children)

  • Viral infections

  • Myalgias from other etiologies

  • Bacterial infections

  • Cold exposure

  • Malignant hyperthermia

  • Muscle phosphorylase deficiency

  • Phosphofructokinase deficiency

  • Carnitine palmityl transferase deficiency

  • Phosphoglycerate mutase deficiency

  • Hyperosmotic conditions

  • Guillain-Barré syndrome

  • Inflammatory myositis