The time course of creatine kinase elevation following concentric needle EMG

Abstract

The electromyographic (EMG) exam and creatine kinase (CK) are commonly used to evaluate patients with neuromuscular diseases. Prior studies have demonstrated minimal elevation of CK following monopolar needle examination, indicating that a false positive elevation does not occur in normal individuals. We studied the magnitude and time course of CK change resulting from concentric (CNEMG) and monopolar (MNEMG) needle EMG examination on healthy volunteers. CK increased in all subjects following CNEMG and MNEMG. Statistically significant mean CK elevations over baseline were observed at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours for CNEMG and at 12 and 24 hours for MNEMG. Maximum elevation occurred at 12 and 24 hours for both CNEMG (mean, 178% of baseline) and MNEMG (mean, 134% of baseline). CK returned to baseline by 48 to 72 hours. In 25-30% of subjects CK elevation significantly exceeded the normal range. The magnitude of CK elevation is greater and the time course more prolonged than previously reported. CK measurements should be avoided 4 to 48 hours following CNEMG because of the potential for false positive results. Measurements immediately after and at 72 hours are not affected by the CNEMG or MNEMG. The time course for CK change following MNEMG is similar to CNEMG, but the magnitude is less.

Creatine kinase values in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

“…It is also elevated as an idiopathic condition, after exercise 1 and after electromyography. 2 Neuropathies are often accompanied by cramps and have been associated with an elevated serum CK, 3 but the degree to which a single cramp can increase serum CK is unknown. The following case is therefore of interest.…”

A case of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis in a Filipino woman

“…Another thing to consider when doing EMG is that it may cause elevation of CPK, which is also a blood test used in the classification criteria for DM. It is therefore recommended to do CPK determination before or 3 days after the EMG 11 . Findings in EMG for DM include fibrillation and positive waves, high frequency, or myotonic discharges 9 .…”

HyperCKämie – Überlegungen zur sinnvollen Diagnostik

“…Weitere Ursachen einer HyperCK ä mie sind eine Makro-CK-Bildung, die heredit ä re Veranlagung zur malignen Hyperthermie, Muskeltraumata (Operation, Nadel-EMG, intramuskul ä re Injektionen, Unf ä lle) und tonisch-klonische Krampfanf ä lle [24,25] . Persistierend erh ö hte CK-Aktivit ä ten kommen auch bei Gesunden vor und k ö nnen durch diverse physiologische Konditionen verursacht werden.…”