Abstract
Idiopathic hyper-CK-emia is a term used to describe the finding of an elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration in the absence of symptoms (or only minimal symptoms) that can be attributed to an underlying neuromuscular disease. The discovery of a high serum CK, even when asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic, raises the prospect of an underlying neuromuscular disorder and typically prompts referral for further evaluation. The next diagnostic steps are likely to involve electromyography (EMG) and muscle biopsy. Questions arise, however, regarding the diagnostic yield of these investigations and the frequency with which a definitive diagnosis can be made and, more importantly, the frequency with which a disorder which warrants (and is likely to respond to) therapy can be identified. This chapter focuses on the diagnostic yield of EMG and muscle biopsy and the relationship between idiopathic hyper-CK-emia and the risk of malignant hyperthermia.
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© 2006 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ
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Benatar, M. (2006). Idiopathic Hyper-CK-emia. In: Benatar, M. (eds) Neuromuscular Disease. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-106-2_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-106-2_20
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-627-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-106-2
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