Analysis of muscle mass by computed tomography in patients with head and neck cancer: a prospective study

• Published in: Radiologia brasileira 2023-09, Vol.56 (5), p.269-274
• Main Authors: Miola, Thais Manfrinato, Bitencourt, Almir Galvão Vieira, Souza, Juliana de Oliveira, Kowalski, Luiz Paulo, Gonçalves Filho, João
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Original; RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING
• ISSN: 0100-3984; 1678-7099; 1678-7099
• DOI: 10.1590/0100-3984.2023.0037

To evaluate the preoperative muscle mass of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) with computed tomography (CT), comparing the results obtained through analysis of cross-sectional areas at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) with those obtained through analysis of cross-sectional areas at the levels of the third cervical and fourth thoracic vertebrae (C3 and T4, respectively). A total of 63 patients with HNC were evaluated preoperatively. Using CT, we assessed muscle mass at L3, as well as at C3 and T4. Most (73.0%) of the patients had low muscle mass at L3, whereas 50.8% had a normal body mass index. The cross-sectional area at L3 correlated strongly with those at C3 and T4 (r = 0.831 and r = 0.763, respectively; < 0.001 for both). In addition, the muscle mass index at L3 correlated strongly with those at C3 and T4 (r = 0.781 and r = 0.715, respectively; < 0.001 for both). Low muscle mass appears to be highly prevalent in patients with HNC. Measurements at C3 and T4 could represent alternative means of assessing muscle mass in such patients.