Skeletal muscle fat quantification by dual-energy computed tomography in comparison with 3T MR imaging

• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-07820-1
• Publication Date: 2021-03-26T12:02:51Z
• Authors: I. Molwitz; M. Leiderer; R. McDonough; R. Fischer; A-K. Ozga; C. Ozden; E. Tahir; D. Koehler; G. Adam; J. Yamamura
• Keywords: Neuroradiology

To quantify the proportion of fat within skeletal muscle as a measure quality using dual-energy CT (DECT) and to validate this methodology with MRI.Twenty-one patients abdominal contrast-enhanced DECT scans (100 kV/Sn 150 kV) underwent 3-T MRI. The fraction (DECT-FF), determined by material decomposition, HU values on virtual non-contrast-enhanced (VNC) images were measured in 126 regions interest (≥ 6 cm2) posterior paraspinal muscle. For validation, MR-based (MR-FF) was assessed chemical shift relaxometry. Patients categorized into groups high or low mean radiation attenuation (SMRA) classified either sarcopenic non-sarcopenic, according index (SMI) cut-off from single-energy CT. Spearman's intraclass correlation, Bland-Altman analysis, mixed linear models employed.The correlation excellent between DECT-FF MR-FF (r = 0.91), VNC - 0.90), 0.98). Intraclass good 0.83 [95% CI 0.71-0.90]), difference 0.15% (SD 3.32 6.35 6.66]). Categorization SMRA yielded an eightfold both (5 23-11], 42 33-56], p 0.05). No significant relationship SMI-based classifications observed.Fat quantification is feasible reliable. analysis offers new approach determine quality, which important for diagnosis therapeutic monitoring sarcopenia, comorbidity associated poor clinical outcome.• Dual-energy decomposition assess reliably. • Virtual allow differentiate native scans. Measuring computed tomography determination parameter diagnostic confirmation sarcopenia outcome.