[Rhabdomyolysis and creatine kinase elevation].

Creatine kinase (CK) plays an important role in cellular energy metabolism in various tissues and skeletal muscle is recognized as being the largest reservoir of this enzyme. Elevated CK levels can be induced by various harmless or severe conditions implying multiple differential diagnoses for the physician. Trauma, inflammation, drug-induced toxicity, genetic disorders as well as metabolic, endocrine or rheumatic diseases might lead to cell degeneration and leakage of CK and other cellular components. Massive destruction of muscular tissue leads to rhabdomyolysis, defined as CK elevation combined with organ damage, which requires immediate diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.