MRI-defined paraspinal muscle morphology in Japanese population: The Wakayama Spine Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish sex- and age-dependent distributions of the cross sectional area and fatty infiltration ratio of paraspinal muscles, and to examine the correlation between paraspinal muscle degeneration and low back pain in the Japanese population.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, data from 796 participants (241 men, 555 women; mean age, 63.5 years) were analyzed. The measurement of the cross sectional area and fatty infiltration ratio of the erector spinae and multifidus from the level of T12/L1 to L4/5 and psoas major at the level of T12/L1 was performed using axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association between fatty infiltration of the paraspinal muscles and the prevalence of low back pain.ResultsThe cross sectional area was larger in men than women, and tended to decrease with age, with the exception of the erector spinae at T12/L1 and L1/2 in women. The fatty infiltration ratio was lower in men than women, except for multifidus at T12/L1 in 70–79 year-olds and psoas major in those less than 50 years-old, and tended to increase with age. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index showed that the fatty infiltration ratio of the erector spinae at L1/2 and L2/3 was significantly associated with low back pain (L1/2 level: odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.005–1.104; L2/3 level: odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.001–1.113).ConclusionThis study measured the cross sectional area and fatty infiltration ratio of paraspinal muscles in the Japanese population using magnetic resonance imaging, and demonstrated that the fatty infiltration ratio of the erector spinae in the upper lumbar spine was significantly associated with the presence of low back pain. The measurements could be used as reference values, which are important for future comparative studies.

The effect of low back pain and lower limb injury on lumbar multifidus muscle morphology and function in university soccer players

“…While it is well established that muscle morphology is influenced by anthropometric factors, such as age, sex, physical activity levels, and body composition, [12][13][14][15] body mass index (BMI) remains the most frequently used variable to adjust for inter-subject variability in both anthropometric and body composition differences. BMI is, however, a poor indicator of body composition, especially in athletic populations, due to its inability to differentiate between lean and fat mass.…”

Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Characteristics, Body Composition, and Injury in University Rugby Players

“…4 It is well recognized that LBP leads to motor-control impairments and altered body kinematics, which can present as a wide array of dysfunctions, including hypomobility or hypermobility of the involved lumbar segments, changes in paraspinal muscle recruitment and coordination, and movement fear or avoidance. 5 Paraspinal muscle morphologic changes (eg, atrophy, [6][7][8] asymmetry, 6,9 fatty infiltration), 10,11 especially of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle, and functional deficits 12 (eg, altered muscle activity) have also been reported in patients with LBP. The LM muscle plays a critical role in providing spinal stability during trunk movement and spine proprioception, 2 which likely become impaired when atrophy, fatty infiltration, or both are present.…”

Evaluation of the Lower Trapezius Muscle Using Ultrasound Panoramic View (a Novel Approach): An Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability Study

“…Morphological measurements can be taken in the longitudinal axis or the transversal axis. In the transversal axis, observational studies [ 26 , 27 ] and a systematic review [ 28 ] have shown that MR has a high correlation between morphological changes and pathology or pain. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no studies of longitudinal axis evaluation using MRI.…”