Creatine phosphokinase in the cerebrospinal fluid

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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.