Creatine phosphokinase in the cerebrospinal fluid

Abstract

Creatine phosphokinase levels were determined in cerebrospinal fluid specimens from 90 patients with neurological disorders and 10 control patients. This enzyme was not elevated in the controls. In 78% of the patients the enzyme level was normal, less than 1.5 i.u/1. Of the 22 patients with elevated creatine phosphatase levels, 12 had tumors of the central nervous system and 4 had cerebrovascular disease. Elevated enzyme levels were seen in 12 of 20 central nervous system tumors studied. A rough correlation exists between the level of this enzyme in cerebrospinal fluid and the amount of tissue infarcted in cerebrospinal accidents. An elevation was not seen in 5 cases of multiple sclerosis or in 6 cases of dementia. Since the enzyme level was found to be normal in 4 of 6 cases of idiopathic epilepsy it is suggested that this determination may aid in distinguishing this condition from symptomatic epilepsy.