Acalculous cholecystitis and ascites in a patient with rhabdomyolysis: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Rhabdomyolysis is a muscle breakdown caused by a variety of factors. Based on a review of the literature, we are unaware of any case reports that discuss these complications of rhabdomyolysis with acalculous cholecystitis and ascites. Case Report: This patient is a 24-year-old man who had never had a chronic illness before. He was a nonsmoker and did not consume alcoholic beverages. He went to the emergency room (ER) because he was having upper abdominal pain and aches throughout his body. He was just started a rigorous physical activity-based training regimen. A total creatine kinase (CK) level more than 5 times higher than the upper normal value confirmed the diagnosis. For the upper abdominal pain, an ultrasound was performed. It reveals ascites and a thick-walled gallbladder. With a decrease in repeated total CK and clinical improvements, the patient was discharged home after aggressive hydration. The patient was asymptomatic at the follow-up appointment, and the ultrasound showed no ascites or gallbladder wall thickness. Conclusion: These are a rare complication of rhabdomyolysis. It implies that acalculous cholecystitis and ascites should be interpreted in light of the clinical scenario and presentation. The workup for ascites and acalculous differential diagnosis was uneventful. In a young patient with rhabdomyolysis, acalculous cholecystitis and ascites is an unusual occurrence.