Affiliations: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of
North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway | Department of Neurosurgery, Lund University Hospital,
S-22 185 Lund, Sweden
Note: [] Corresponding author. Present address: Department of
Neurosurgery, University Hospital of North Norway, N-9038 Tromsø, Norway.
Tel.: +47 77627050; Fax: +47 77627052; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Purpose. To provide an overview of clinical research on the use of
biochemical serum markers for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the evaluation of
patients with mild head injuries (MHI). Methods. The MEDLINE database was searched for publications on
biochemical serum markers of TBI until August 2002. Clinical studies addressing
their use in MHI were reviewed. Results. Desirable characteristics for biochemical serum markers of
TBI were identified. Creatine kinase isoenzyme BB (CK-BB), neuron specific
enolase (NSE) and S-100B protein have been most extensively studied. The
sensitivity and specificity of CK-BB is inadequate for use as an indicator of
traumatic brain injury. Serum levels of NSE do not correspond to the amount of
TBI, probably because of its long (20 h) half-life. S-100B serum levels are
correlated to both clinical measures of injury severity, neuroradiological
findings and outcomes in several studies from different authors. Conclusion. Currently, S-100B protein is the most promising marker
for evaluation of TBI in patients with MHI.
Keywords: head injury, biochemical markers, creatine kinase, neuron specific enolase, S-100B protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein
