The Value Of Serum Creatine Kinase In Early Diagnosis Of Heterotopic Ossification

• Published in: The journal of spinal cord medicine Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 227 - 230
• Main Authors: Sherman, Andrew L., Williams, Joan, Patrick, Lornette, Banovac, Kresimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 2003
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - blood; Creatine kinase; Creatine Kinase - blood; Early Diagnosis; Etidronate; Follow-Up Studies; Heterotopic ossification; Humans; Middle Aged; Ossification, Heterotopic - diagnosis; Ossification, Heterotopic - enzymology; Ossification, Heterotopic - etiology; Paraplegia; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - complications; Spinal Cord Injuries - enzymology; Tetraplegia
• ISSN: 1079-0268; 2045-7723
• DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2003.11753688

Background: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a complication of spinal cord injury (SCI) characterized by formation of ectopic bone. Early diagnosis is critical, but available diagnostic methods have drawbacks. Serum creatine kinase may be a marker for the development and severity of HO.
Participants: 1 8 SCI patients with diagnosed HO based on clinical findings and bone scintigraphy.
Methods: Serum creatine kinase levels were taken at the time of diagnosis of HO and during subsequent etidronate therapy.
Results: Of the 1 4 patients with normal creatine kinase values, 1 3 had no evidence of HO on follow-up radiographic examination. Of the 4 patients with elevated creatine kinase, all developed radiographic signs of HO.
Conclusion: Elevated serum creatine kinase may be associated with a more aggressive course of HO as well as resistance to etidronate therapy. Further studies are needed to determine whether creatine kinase may serve as a marker for early, active HO.