Correlation of Ultrasound Measurement of Quadriceps with CT Measurements of L3 Paraspinal Muscles and BIA in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background and Aim: Our study explored the correlation of quadriceps muscle parameters measured by ultrasound, with paraspinal muscles at the L3 level measured by CT and BIA values in patients with cirrhosis. The analysis included 37 patients with cirrhosis. The quadriceps muscle was measured using US linear transducer (frequency: 7-13MHz). The CT cross-sectional area of paraspinal muscles (CT-SMA) at the L3 level was obtained by manually tracing the borders of muscles and expressed as cm2. The skeletal muscle area in cm2 was divided by the square of the height of the patient in meters to give SMI in cm2/m2. Muscle mass was also measured using BIA. Statistical analysis was performed. Linear regression analysis was used to find the effect of variables on SMA and SMI. Results: Our results indicated a moderate positive correlation between Rectus femoris area (RFA) and CT- SMA at the L3 level (r=.601 p=.000), RFA and CT-SMI at the L3 level (r=.549 p=.000). A moderate positive statistically significant correlation was noted between RFA and BIA measured muscle (kg) (r=.368 p=.027). Thigh muscle thickness (TMT) also showed a moderate positive correlation with CT- SMA at L3 level (r=.652 p=.000) and CT-SMI at L3 level. (r=.569 p=.000). Conclusion: The study revealed a positive correlation between US-based measurements of thigh muscle thickness and rectus femoris cross sectional area with CT-derived indices at the third lumbar level. The correlation was more significant with TMT when compared to RFA. This finding suggests that both measures are valid indicators of the total skeletal muscle mass. These results suggest that the US can be used as a valid, quick, cost-effective, and user-friendly tool to assess total skeletal muscle mass status in clinical practice for assessment of sarcopenia in cirrhosis.