Determining the Value of Cerebrospinal Fluid Lactate Dehydrogenase Level in Differentiating Subarachnoid Hemorrhage From Traumatic Lumbar Puncture.

Context Lumbar puncture (LP) is still an important modality in the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Rapid and correct fluid analysis can provide patients with a better prognosis by appropriate intervention. Objective To determine the value of cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase level in differentiation between SAH and traumatic LP. Design This was a cross-sectional observational study. Patients with a diagnostic suspicion of SAH who were admitted to the emergency department were enrolled in our study based on the inclusion criteria. All patients underwent head computed tomography scan without contrast. Patients with SAH confirmed on computed tomography scan and those who needed surgical intervention underwent LP by the neurosurgical service in the operation room (group 1). Other patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria but had a traumatic LP in the emergency setting were also enrolled in our study (group 2). The fluid samples of all LPs were sent to the laboratory to be analyzed. Finally, we compared the results of the 2 groups with each other. Results Fifty-two patients were enrolled in our study, 26 patients (50%) from each group. The cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase level was significantly higher in group 1 than it was in group 2 ( P < .001), and based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the significant level of cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase to differentiate SAH from traumatic LP was estimated to be 185. The red blood cell and white blood cell counts were significantly higher in group 1 than they were in group 2 ( P < .001). Conclusions Cerebrospinal fluid lactate dehydrogenase can effectively differentiate SAH from traumatic tap in LP samples.

Lactic dehydrogenase isoenzymes in adolescents with multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease with high morbidity and major mortality. To determine the potential use of lactic dehydrogenase activity and lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid as biomarkers of multiple sclerosis, we reviewed the files of all patients with multiple sclerosis who attended our tertiary pediatric medical facility from 1999-2005. The study group included three adolescent patients with multiple sclerosis (cerebrospinal fluid analysis at diagnosis) and one patient with recurrent optic neuritis (cerebrospinal fluid analysis during a disease episode). The isoenzyme pattern was abnormal in all patients with multiple sclerosis, with higher-than-normal levels of lactic dehydrogenase-2, lactic dehydrogenase-3, and lactic dehydrogenase-5 in two patients, and lower-than-normal levels of lactic dehydrogenase-4 in one patient. It was not necessarily, however, the same two patients who had the abnormally high levels of lactic dehydrogenase-2, -3, and -5. The patient with optic neuritis also exhibited an abnormal lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern that shared common features with the others. Multiple sclerosis appears to be characterized by an abnormal lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern in cerebrospinal fluid. The importance of this finding and its diagnostic potential use warrant further investigation.

Evaluation of enzymes in pyogenic and tuberculous meningitis.

OBJECTIVES: Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) were measured serially in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in twenty five cases of meningitis and an equal number of age and sex matched healthy control subjects with an aim to find out their diagnostic and prognostic significance in cases of meningitis. METHODS: The enzymatic activity was measured serially (day 0, 4th and 7th) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in twenty-five cases of meningitis consisting of fifteen cases of pyogenic meningitis (PM) and ten of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and an equal number of age and sex matched healthy control. The clinical details including the level of consciousness and neurological deficit were correlated with the enzymatic activity and prognosis. RESULTS: The levels of these enzymes were significantly elevated in all the cases of meningitis in serum as well as CSF as compared to control subjects. The activity was significantly higher in pyogenic than tuberculous meningitis (p<0.001) and it was higher in CSF than in serum (p<0.001). The maximum elevation in activity of GGTP and LDH were seen on the first day whereas CK was highest on 4th day and thereafter, the activity of all the enzymes declined in the majority of cases who had shown clinical improvement. However, in three cases of pyogenic and five cases of tuberculous meningitis, the enzymatic activity on subsequent estimation, increased serially. All these eight cases died. Further, the basal enzymatic activity in all these eight cases that died was higher as compared to those who survived. Of all the enzymes, CSF GGTP levels correlated best with the clinical picture. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that GGTP, CK and LDH were significantly elevated in cases of meningitis. It was not possible to differentiate the type of meningitis on the basis of enzymatic activity in any of them. However, it was possible to predict prognosis because higher basal activity and serial rise were associated with poor prognosis.