Ion concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuromuscular diseases

The Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and Pi concentrations in serum and lumbar CSF of 17 controls and 62 patients with neuromuscular diseases were determined and the values statistically evaluated. Although alterations in ion concentrations specific to different groups were not observed in either of these biological fluids, the significant increase in serum Pi concentration in Duchenne muscular dystrophy seems to be remarkable. It is suggested that the possible alterations in the ion content of the serum and CSF may contribute additional data to the diagnosis of various neuromuscular diseases.