Associations of thigh muscle fat infiltration with isometric strength measurements based on chemical shift encoding-based water-fat magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

BackgroundAssessment of the thigh muscle fat composition using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide surrogate markers in subjects suffering from various musculoskeletal disorders including knee osteoarthritis or neuromuscular diseases. However, little is known about the relationship with muscle strength. Therefore, we investigated the associations of thigh muscle fat with isometric strength measurements.MethodsTwenty healthy subjects (10 females; median age 27 years, range 22–41 years) underwent chemical shift encoding-based water-fat MRI, followed by bilateral extraction of the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and calculation of relative cross-sectional area (relCSA) of quadriceps and ischiocrural muscles. Relative maximum voluntary isometric contraction (relMVIC) in knee extension and flexion was measured with a rotational dynamometer. Correlations between PDFF, relCSA, and relMVIC were evaluated, and multivariate regression was applied to identify significant predictors of muscle strength.ResultsSignificant correlations between the PDFF and relMVIC were observed for quadriceps and ischiocrural muscles bilaterally (p = 0.001 to 0.049). PDFF, but not relCSA, was a statistically significant (p = 0.001 to 0.049) predictor of relMVIC in multivariate regression models, except for left-sided relMVIC in extension. In this case, PDFF (p = 0.005) and relCSA (p = 0.015) of quadriceps muscles significantly contributed to the statistical model with R2adj = 0.548.ConclusionChemical shift encoding-based water-fat MRI could detect changes in muscle composition by quantifying muscular fat that correlates well with both extensor and flexor relMVIC of the thigh. Our results help to initiate early, individualised treatments to maintain or improve muscle function in subjects who do not or not yet show pathological fatty muscle infiltration.

Deep learning-based thigh muscle segmentation for reproducible fat fraction quantification using fat–water decomposition MRI

“…Previous studies have shown that fat infiltration can be observed in thigh muscles due to diseases such as neuromuscular and metabolic disorders or age-related muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) [1][2][3][4]. More importantly, the degree of intramuscular fat infiltration serves as a marker for disease severity and progression [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

<p>Comparison of a Novel Muscle Training Device with Conventional Rehabilitation Training in Motor Dysfunction of Lower Limb Patients: A Pilot Study</p>

“…Thereby, they increased the range of the knee joint and the recovery function of the lower limbs. 35 The range of the knee joint and the strength of the surrounding muscles are increased through progressive resistance exercises and long-term continuous stretching of the joint muscle. These exercises can prevent contracture adhesion, maintain the range of joint motion, gradually improve the stability and prevent the formation of DVT in the lower limbs.…”

Quantitative MR-Bildgebung zur Charakterisierung der Skelettmuskulatur

“…In einer Studie über paraspinale Muskulatur war die altersbedingte FF-Zunahme unabhängig von der Veränderung des Muskelvolumens [62]. In jüngeren Frauen und Männern war aber sowohl am Oberschenkel als auch in der paravertebralen Muskulatur FF nur mäßig mit Muskelkraft (r ≈ 0,5) assoziiert [63,64]. Durch körperliches Training konnte in jüngeren und älteren Männern sowohl FF als auch IMAT des Oberschenkels signifikant verringert werden [65].…”