Diagnosing sarcopenia and myosteatosis based on chest computed tomography images in healthy Chinese adults

Insights into Imaging

Hongbo Fu¹  Lingling Tan¹  Ming Yang²  Guiyi Ji³  Ting Bao³  Ling Yang⁴ 

[1] Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Lane, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;Precision Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;Health Management Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;Outpatient Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No 37 Guoxue Lane, 610041, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;

关键词: Muscle wasting;    Muscle depletion;    Skeletal muscle mass;    Computed Tomography;    Fat infiltration;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13244-021-01106-2

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMeasuring muscle mass and muscle quality based on chest Computed Tomography (CT) images would facilitate sarcopenia and myosteatosis research. We aimed (1) to measure muscle mass and myosteatosis based on chest CT images at the 12th thoracic vertebra level and compare the relevant indicators with whole-body skeletal muscle mass (BSM) and whole-body fat mass (BFM) measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis; and (2) to determine the cut-off points of these indicators for diagnosing sarcopenia or myosteatosis in healthy Chinese adults.MethodsChest CT images were analyzed using a segmentation software. Skeletal muscle area (SMA), skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), and intermuscular adiposity tissue (IMAT) were measured. Skeletal muscle indices (SMIs) and IMAT/SMA ratio were calculated.ResultsWe included 569 participants. SMA, SMA/height2, and SMA/BMI were strongly and positively correlated with BSM (r = 0.90, 0.72, and 0.69, respectively, all p < 0.001); whereas SMA/weight was moderately and positively correlated with BSM (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). IMAT and IMAT/SMA were strongly and positively correlated with BFM (r = 0.67 and 0.58, respectively, both p < 0.001). SMD was moderately and negatively correlated with BFM (r = − 0.40, p < 0.001). We suggest SMA/height2 (< 25.75 cm2/m2 in men and < 20.16 cm2/m2 in women) for diagnosing sarcopenia and SMD (< 37.42 HU in men and < 33.17 HU in women) or IMAT (> 8.72 cm2 in men and > 4.58 cm2 in women) for diagnosing myosteatosis.ConclusionsMuscle mass indicators (SMA and SMIs) and muscle quality indicators (SMD, IMAT, and IMAT/SMA) measured by chest CT images are valuable for diagnosing sarcopenia and myosteatosis, respectively.

【 授权许可】

CC BY