Crush syndrome of today - rhabdomyolysis of intoxication

Crush syndrome is a major issue in war-afflicted countries and in times of peace also in case of a mining accident. This syndrome is characterized by a number of symptoms originating from muscle damage - rhabdomyolysis - resulting from long-lasting entrapment of the body/extremities. Nowadays, crush syndrome seems to be a scarce condition. However, the rare incidence may rather be the result of poor diagnostic recognition. Although the war conflicts and mining accidents became seldom, increased incidence of rhabdomyolysis is progressively associated with world-wide drug consumption. Long-term immobilisation of intoxicated drug addicts frequently leads to muscle damage, mediated by a local pressure exerted on the extremities. Rhabdomyolysis may become clinically manifest in a form of an acute muscular compartment syndrome.