Statin-Associated Severe Rhabdomyolysis With Mixed Neuromuscular Involvement Mimicking Guillain‑Barré Syndrome: A Case Report.
Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine
Statin-associated myopathy represents a well-recognised adverse effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, ranging from myalgia to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. Neurological involvement in the form of peripheral neuropathy mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare and diagnostically challenging. We report a case of a 72-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and single-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and was initiated on atorvastatin 40 mg once daily as secondary prevention. Within two months of initiation, he developed myoglobinuria followed by rapidly evolving bilateral upper and lower limb weakness on admission. Peak creatine kinase (CK) was 48,000 U/L, with urine myoglobin exceeding 12,000 ng/mL. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated a lower-motor-neuron-type demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy, while electromyography revealed a myopathic pattern. Although GBS was a primary diagnostic concern, cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not corroborate due to the absence of albuminocytologic dissociation. The patient was managed with statin discontinuation and aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation. Myoglobinuria started to resolve by day two. At discharge, upper limb weakness had fully resolved, and lower limb power improved from 1/5 to 3/5, with CK declining to 8060 U/L. This case highlights that severe statin-associated rhabdomyolysis wi
Abstract
Statin-associated myopathy represents a well-recognised adverse effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, ranging from myalgia to life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. Neurological involvement in the form of peripheral neuropathy mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare and diagnostically challenging. We report a case of a 72-year-old man with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and single-vessel coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and was initiated on atorvastatin 40 mg once daily as secondary prevention. Within two months of initiation, he developed myoglobinuria followed by rapidly evolving bilateral upper and lower limb weakness on admission. Peak creatine kinase (CK) was 48,000 U/L, with urine myoglobin exceeding 12,000 ng/mL. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated a lower-motor-neuron-type demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy, while electromyography revealed a myopathic pattern. Although GBS was a primary diagnostic concern, cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not corroborate due to the absence of albuminocytologic dissociation. The patient was managed with statin discontinuation and aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation. Myoglobinuria started to resolve by day two. At discharge, upper limb weakness had fully resolved, and lower limb power improved from 1/5 to 3/5, with CK declining to 8060 U/L. This case highlights that severe statin-associated rhabdomyolysis with mixed electrophysiological features of demyelinating polyneuropathy and myopathy can closely mimic GBS. The significant clinical improvement following statin withdrawal without immunomodulatory therapy favours a toxic neuromyopathic process over an immune-mediated aetiology, emphasising early recognition and prompt discontinuation of the offending agent to prevent complications and improve outcomes.