Open AccessNovel lateral whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry of lumbar paraspinal muscle mass: results from the SarcoSpine study
Author(s) -
Lee Sang Yoon,
Kim Dong Hyun,
Park Sang Joon,
Park Jinhee,
Chung Sun Gun,
Lim JaeYoung
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.803
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 2190-6009
pISSN - 2190-5991
DOI - 10.1002/jcsm.12721
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , lumbar , lumbosacral joint , isometric exercise , dual energy x ray absorptiometry , anatomy , lumbar vertebrae , nuclear medicine , sarcopenia , muscle mass , radiology , bone mineral , physical therapy , osteoporosis
Background Here, we aimed to propose novel lateral whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (lateral DXA) as a simple tool for measuring spinal muscle mass and investigate the feasibility of lateral DXA to measure lumbar paraspinal muscle (LPM) mass compared with lumbosacral spine three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI). Methods Twenty consecutive participants were enrolled from a prospective observational cohort (SarcoSpine study). Lateral DXA was scanned with each participant in the lateral decubitus position. The region of interest was defined to analyse the LPM mass. LPM total volume, LPM cross‐sectional area at the L3 mid‐vertebra and L4/5 mid‐disc levels and each signal intensity were measured by 3D MRI. Isokinetic and isometric back extensor muscle strengths as well as back extensor endurance were examined. The correlation between lateral DXA‐based mass (weight) and 3D MRI‐based LPM volume was analysed. Results The mean age of the 20 participants (15 women, 5 men) was 72.2 ± 4.9 years. LPM mass by lateral DXA was positively correlated with LPM volume by 3D MRI (β = 0.333, r = 0.692, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with signal intensity of the total LPM (β = −0.263, r = −0.530, p = 0.016). LPM mass was also correlated with appendicular limb muscle mass, handgrip strength and gait speed as well as back extensor endurance ( r = 0.620, p = 0.004). Conclusions Our data suggest that LPM mass assessed by lateral DXA was positively correlated with LPM volume by 3D MRI in older adults. Lateral DXA may be a potential substitute for the cross‐sectional area measurement of LPM mass. Further studies are required to validate this lateral DXA technique.