Muscle crush injury and crush syndrome

Crush injury is defi ned as compression of extremities or other parts of the body that causes muscle breakdown (traumatic rhabdomyolysis). Systemic consequences of crush injuries are as follows: rhabdomyolysis, electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities, hypovolemia, and acute renal failure. Crush injuries are important injuries in disaster situations: earthquakes, hurricanes, mining and road traffi c accidents, war, collapse of buildings, etc. In this review article, there are discussed about epidemiology of crush syndrome, risk factors, pathophysiology (mechanisms of muscle cell injury, release of substances from injured muscles, other consequences of reperfusion), clinical features, differential diagnosis, investigations, complications (acute renal failure, hypovolemic shock, hyperkalemia, infection, compartment syndrome), approach to treatment (adequate rehydration, a forced mannitol-alkaline diuresis, intravenous fl uids, management of hyperkalemia, wound care, hyperbaric oxygen, etc.), prognosis, the mortality rate and prevention (timely support may reduce morbidity and mortality)