Critical evaluation of creatine phosphokinase in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with neurologic disease.

Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) concentrations in CSF and in serum of dogs with a variety of neurologic diseases were evaluated. Concentrations of CPK in CSF and serum were diagnostically nonspecific. Although a diagnostic advantage was not found in measurement of CPK concentrations in CSF and serum, it appeared that increased CPK concentration in CSF was associated more frequently with a guarded-to-poor prognosis. The concentration of CPK in CSF was statistically independent of CPK concentration in serum. Cerebrospinal fluid CPK concentration was significantly (P = 0.01) correlated to the number of RBC in CSF. However, CSF concentration of CPK was not significantly correlated to serum, blood, or CSF variables evaluated.