Serum CPK Isoenzyme BB as an Indicator of Brain Tissue Damage following Head Injury

Abstract
In 209 patients who had serum drawn for assay of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) isoenzymes, elevation of CPK brain fraction (BB) was correlated with occurrence of brain injury, and its sensitivity as an indicator of the presence of brain damage was evaluated. Thirty-three patients suffered serious head trauma. Of the 10 patients in coma, only 3 had elevated serum CPK-BB levels. Of the other 176 patients who had no history of head injury, 24 also had positive BB fractions. Serum CPK-BB level was an unreliable indicator of the extent of brain damage.