The Role of Imaging Biomarkers in the Assessment of Sarcopenia

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of sarcopenia through clinical assessment has some limitations. The literature advises studies that include objective markers along with clinical assessment in order to improve the sensitivity and specificity of current diagnostic criteria. The decrease of muscle quality precedes the loss of quantity, so we studied the role magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers as indicators of the quantity and quality of muscle in sarcopenia patients. Methods: a cross-sectional analysis was performed to analyze what MR-derived imaging parameters correlate better with sarcopenia diagnostic criteria in women of 70 years of age and over (independent walking and community-dwelling women who were sarcopenic in accordance with EWGSOP criteria with muscle mass adjusted to Spanish population were chosen). Results: The study included 26 women; 81 ± 8 years old. A strong correlation was obtained between cineanthropometric variables (BMI; thigh perimeter and fat mass) and imaging biomarkers (muscle/fat ratio, fatty infiltration, muscle T2*, water diffusion coefficient, and proton density fat fraction) with coefficients around 0.7 (absolute value). Conclusions: Knowing the correlation of clinical parameters and imaging-derived muscle quality indicators can help to identify older women at risk of developing sarcopenia at an early stage. This may allow taking preventive actions to decrease disability, morbidity, and mortality in sarcopenia patients.

Diffusion as a Natural Contrast in MR Imaging of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Tissue Changes. A Case Study of the Clinical Application of DTI for a Patient with Chronic Calf Muscles Ischemia

“…This may result from fibrosis in the muscle ( Figure 2 ). It was hypothesized by Sanz-Requena et al [ 21 ] that the fat content in lower leg muscles would cause a decrease of apparent diffusion coefficient. Therefore, decrease of diffusivities in the patient’s TA muscle may also indicate its dehydration.…”

Comparison of muscle quality and functional capacity between Japanese and Brazilian older individuals

“…These observations suggest that the difference in body fat between Japanese and Brazilian older individuals may have a greater effect on functional capacity than LBM. A recent study suggested that imaging-derived muscle quality based on magnetic resonance imaging indicators can help to identify older individuals at risk of developing sarcopenia at an early stage [ 24 ], and also provides helpful information for understanding the potential role of muscle quality in the present study.…”

Complexity and data mining in dental research: A network medicine perspective on interceptive orthodontics

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“…In recent years, in addition to the conventional x‐ray computer tomography (CT) and the cone‐beam computer tomography (CBCT), MRI has shown great potential in dentistry 46‐50 . Furthermore, as most patients receive orthodontic treatment during childhood, further development of radiation‐free techniques, such as MRI are highly desirable 51‐53 …”