Nitrous Oxide-Associated Rhabdomyolysis With Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Hemodialysis

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is increasingly abused for its euphoric effects, yet its potential for severe medical toxicity remains underrecognized.This case report describes a 22-year-old male who developed severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI) following chronic nitrous oxide abuse.Upon admission, the patient exhibited significant muscle edema and a profoundly elevated creatine kinase level exceeding 45,000 U/L.The clinical course was complicated by progressive renal failure, necessitating intensive care management and hemodialysis.This report details the patient's clinical presentation, the association between N 2 O exposure and severe muscle injury, and successful treatment outcomes following cessation of the substance and aggressive supportive care.By highlighting this rare but serious complication, we aim to bridge the current knowledge gap regarding N 2 O toxicity.This case underscores the importance of considering nitrous oxide abuse in the differential diagnosis of unexplained rhabdomyolysis, particularly in young patients, and highlights the necessity for clinical vigilance, early recognition, and timely intervention to mitigate the risk of irreversible renal damage.