Fat infiltration, atrophy and hypertrophy of skeletal muscles demonstrated by X-ray computed tomography in neurological patients

Abstract

Since 1982, we have used X-ray computed tomography (CT) to study the skeletal muscles of neurological patients. We present here the findings in 23 patients with myogenic and 29 patients with neurogenic diseases. The method is convenient to demonstrate fat infiltration, atrophy and hypertrophy of skeletal muscles, but is of little help in differentiating between the 2 disease categories or individual diagnoses. The maximal isometric voluntary force of m. quadriceps femoris was measured in 13 of the patients with neurogenic, and in 10 of the patients with myogenic diseases. The power was compared with the cross-sectional area and the structural changes observed in the parenchyme of the muscles in the CT scans. A positive correlation was found between the size and the force of the muscle in both patient groups. The appearance of the muscular parenchyme was of little help to predict its function.

Heterogeneity of muscle fat infiltration in children with spina bifida

“…First, muscle composition and structure were not directly examined (e.g., biopsy). Although the degree of fat infiltration has been shown to correlate with muscle weakness in other patient populations (Johnson, Miller, Subramanian, & Modlesky, 2009; Kinali et al, 2011; Nordal, Dietrichson, Eldevik, & Gronseth, 1988; Wokke et al, 2013; Wren et al, 2008), it is possible that muscles which have a normal appearance and fat fraction on MRI may have other deficiencies not revealed by the water-fat imaging. Another limitation is the small sample size.…”

Optical Detection of the Brachial Plexus for Peripheral Nerve Blocks

“…25 More recently, a novel fat depot termed intermuscular adipose tissue has been identified, which exists between skeletal muscle bundles and beneath the muscle fascia. 26 Perivascular lipids have also been identified in adipocytes along blood vessels. 24 Given that the lipid concentration differs between structures in and around the nerve target region, the lipid parameter depends on the particular position of the needle tip relative to these structures; it is likely that this dependency contributed significantly to interinsertion parameter differences.…”

“…Patients with certain neurologic disease, for instance, have been found to have greater lipid content in their skeletal muscles, with spatial patterns ranging from speckled infiltration to seemingly total replacement of the muscular parenchyma by fatty tissue. 26 The differences between the lipid concentrations at a nerve target region and those in surrounding tissues such as skeletal muscle and nerves are likely to vary among nerves and even positions along the nerve and can be expected to be influenced by obesity, age, and the race of the patient. 27 We anticipate that the correct interpretation of spectroscopic information will depend on contextual information provided by image guidance, particularly ultrasound.…”

Muscle Quality in Aging: a Multi-Dimensional Approach to Muscle Functioning with Applications for Treatment

“…With aging the density of skeletal muscle decreases [92,98,99], indicating lipid accumulation in the muscle [100][101][102]. Older men have 59-127 % more fat in the muscle compartments of the thigh than younger men [98], with an annual increase of 18 % shown in longitudinal measures [103].…”