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Skeletal Radiology

Published in:

01-07-2018 | Scientific Article

Lumbar paraspinal muscle fat infiltration is independently associated with sex, age, and inter-vertebral disc degeneration in symptomatic patients

Authors: Julio Urrutia, Pablo Besa, Daniel Lobos, Mauricio Campos, Cristobal Arrieta, Marcelo Andia, Sergio Uribe

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 7/2018

Abstract

Purpose

To determine the association of paraspinal muscles and psoas relative cross-sectional area (RCSA) and fat signal fraction (FSF) with sex, age, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in symptomatic patients.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 80 adult patients with spinal symptoms using T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. We determined RCSA and FSF of the paraspinal muscles (erector spinae and multifidus) and psoas from L1–L2 to L5–S1; we determined IDD using the Pfirrmann classification. We compared differences in muscle RCSA and FSF based on sex and IDD, and we correlated age and IDD with RCSA and FSF. Using multivariate linear regression analyses, we determined the impact of sex, age, and IDD on RCSA and FSF.

Results

Men exhibited larger psoas RCSA but not larger paraspinal muscles RCSA than women. Women had larger FSF in the paraspinal muscles and psoas. Increasing IDD was associated with larger FSF if ≥2 Pfirrmann grades were observed. IDD correlated with FSF of the paraspinal muscles, and age correlated with FSF of the paraspinal muscles and psoas. IDD was less consistently correlated with RCSA, but age correlated negatively with RCSA of all three muscles. Linear regression analyses demonstrated that sex, age, and IDD were each independently associated with FSF of the paraspinal muscles; additionally, sex and age, but not IDD, were associated with psoas FSF. RCSA was less consistently influenced by these three variables.

Conclusions

Sex, age, and IDD are independently associated with paraspinal muscles FSF; only sex and age influence psoas FSF.

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Title: Lumbar paraspinal muscle fat infiltration is independently associated with sex, age, and inter-vertebral disc degeneration in symptomatic patients
Authors: Julio Urrutia
Pablo Besa
Daniel Lobos
Mauricio Campos
Cristobal Arrieta
Marcelo Andia
Sergio Uribe
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Skeletal Radiology / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-018-2880-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Lumbar paraspinal muscle fat infiltration is independently associated with sex, age, and inter-vertebral disc degeneration in symptomatic patients

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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