Intra- and inter-rater reliability in the cross-sectional area of feline lumbar epaxial musculature evaluated via abdominal CT scan

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 721-728
Author(s):  
Laura H Rayhel ◽  
Jessica M Quimby ◽  
Eric M Green ◽  
Valerie J Parker ◽  
Shasha Bai

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of epaxial muscle cross-sectional area measurement on feline CT images and to determine the relationship between normalized epaxial muscle area (EMA) and subjective muscle condition score (MCS). Methods Feline transverse CT images including the junction of the 13th thoracic vertebrae/13th rib head were retrospectively reviewed. Right and left epaxial muscle circumference and vertebral body height were measured and an average normalized EMA (ratio of epaxial area:vertebral height) was calculated for each image. Measurements were performed by three individuals blinded to the clinical data and were repeated 1 month later. Intra- and inter-rater reliability of EMA was assessed with concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland–Altman analysis was performed to assess bias and limits of agreement (LoA) between and within observers at different time points. In cats for which MCS data were available, EMA was compared between differing MCSs via the Kruskal–Wallis test, with Bonferroni-corrected Wilcoxon rank-sum post-hoc analysis. Results In total, 101 CT scans met the inclusion criteria for reliability analysis, 29 of which had muscle condition information available for analysis. Intra-rater EMA CCC ranged from 0.84 to 0.99 with minimal bias (range –0.16 to 0.08) and narrow LoA. Inter-rater EMA CCC ranged from 0.87 to 0.94, bias was larger (range –0.46 to 0.66) and LoA were wider when assessed between observers. Median EMA was significantly lower in cats with severe muscle atrophy (2.76, range 1.28–3.96) than in all other MCS groups ( P <0.0001 for all comparisons). Conclusions and relevance Measurement of EMA on CT showed strong intra-rater reliability, and median EMA measurements were significantly lower in cats with severe muscle wasting, as assessed on physical examination. Further studies correlating EMA to lean muscle mass in cats are needed to determine whether this method may be useful to quantify muscle mass in patients undergoing a CT scan.

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Fredrika Boström ◽  
Anu K Lappalainen ◽  
Lieven Danneels ◽  
Tarja S Jokinen ◽  
Outi Laitinen-Vapaavuori ◽  
...  

MRI and CT are frequently used to diagnose spinal diseases in dogs. These modalities have detected epaxial muscle degeneration in dachshunds with intervertebral disc herniation. However, research on the reliability of epaxial muscular measurements is limited in veterinary medicine. The aims of the study were to assess the intrarater and inter-rater reliability of epaxial muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat content measurements on MRI and CT images in dachshunds, and to compare the CSA measurement between the two modalities. MRI and CT images of 10 healthy dachshunds were evaluated. Two blinded observers assessed MRI CSA, MRI fat content, CT CSA and CT muscle attenuation of three thoracolumbar epaxial muscles using OsiriX. The results showed ‘substantial’ to ‘almost perfect’ intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.828–0.998) and inter-rater reliability (ICC 0.685–0.854) for all variables. When individual spinal segments were analysed, the intrarater and inter-rater reliability decreased and the confidence intervals increased. There was positive correlation (r= 0.719–0.841, P=0.001) and high agreement (0.824–0.894) for the measured CSA between MRI and CT. Epaxial muscle CSA and fat content can be reliably measured on MRI and CT, bearing in mind that measurement of certain segments requires adequate training.


2017 ◽  
Vol 181 (24) ◽  
pp. 655-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Alzola Domingo ◽  
Chris M Riggs ◽  
David S Gardner ◽  
Sarah L Freeman

Superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) tendinopathy is an important musculoskeletal problem in horses. The study objective was to validate an ultrasonographic scoring system for SDFT injuries. Ultrasonographic images from 14 Thoroughbred racehorses with SDFT lesions (seven core; seven diffuse) and two controls were blindly assessed by five clinicians on two occasions. Ultrasonographic parameters evaluated were: type and extent of the injury, location, echogenicity, cross-sectional area and longitudinal fibre pattern of the maximal injury zone (MIZ). Inter-rater variability and intra-rater reliability were assessed using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (KC) and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (LC), respectively. Type of injury (core vs. diffuse) had perfect inter/intra-rater agreement. Cases with core lesions had very strong inter-rater agreement (KC ≥0.74, P<0.001) and intra-rater reliability (LC ≥0.73) for all parameters apart from echogenicity. Cases with diffuse lesions had strong inter-rater agreement (KC ≥0.62) for all parameters, but weak agreement for echogenicity (KC=0.22); intra-rater reliability was excellent for MIZ location and fibre pattern (LC ≥0.82), and moderate (LC ≥0.58) for cross-sectional area and number of zones affected. This scoring system was reliable and repeatable for all parameters, except for echogenicity. A validated scoring system will facilitate reliable recording of SDFT injuries and inter-study meta-analyses.


2021 ◽  
pp. 028418512110032
Author(s):  
Henrique Mansur ◽  
Guilherme Estanislau ◽  
Marcos de Noronha ◽  
Rita de Cassia Marqueti ◽  
Emerson Fachin-Martins ◽  
...  

Background The cross-sectional area (CSA) records make an essential measurement for determining the mechanical properties of tendons, such as stress and strength. However, there is no consensus regarding the best method to record the CSA from different tendons. Purpose To determine intra- and inter-rater reliability for CSA measures from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the following tendons: tibialis anterior; tibialis posterior; fibularis longus and brevis; and Achilles. Material and Methods We designed an observational study with repeated measures taken from a convenience sample of 20 participants diagnosed with acute or chronic ankle sprain. Two independent raters took three separate records from the CSA of ankle tendon images of each MRI slice. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and 95% limits of agreement (LoA) defined the quality (associations) and magnitude (differences), respectively, of intra- and inter-rater reliability on the measures plotted by the Bland–Altman method. Results Data showed very high intra- and inter-rater correlations for measures taken from all tendons analyzed (ICC 0.952–0.999). It also revealed an excellent agreement between raters (0.12%–2.3%), with bias no higher than 2 mm2 and LoA in the range of 4.4–7.9 mm2. The differences between repeated measures recorded from the thinnest tendons (fibularis longus and brevis) revealed the lowest bias and narrowest 95% LoA. Conclusion Reliability for the CSA of ankle tendons measured from MRI taken by independent rates was very high, with the smallest differences between raters observed when the thinnest tendon was analyzed.


1990 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ed Vanbavel ◽  
Trudi Mooij ◽  
Maurice J.M.M. Giezeman ◽  
Jos A.E. Spaan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaobo Li ◽  
Haoyong Yu ◽  
Pin Zhang ◽  
Yinfang Tu ◽  
Yunfeng Xiao ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE <p>To<a> explore the potential relevance of muscle mass as a variable contributor to body mass index (BMI) on BMI limitations in predicting diabetes remission (DR) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). </a></p> <p> </p> <p>RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS</p> <p>We evaluated the relationship between muscle mass and BMI in 501 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overweight or obesity. Of which <a>186 patients who underwent R</a>YGB were <a>studied to determine the role of baseline muscle mass </a><a>and BMI </a>in predicting DR. Muscle mass was assessed by estimated fat-free mass index (eFFMI) and psoas cross-sectional area (CSA).</p> <p> </p> <p>RESULTS</p> <p>A non-linear relationship existed between psoas CSA and BMI, whereas psoas CSA showed a highly positive correlation with <a>eFFMI</a>. Baseline psoas CSA and eFFMI were better than BMI for predicting 1- and 5-year DR. </p> <p> </p> <p>CONCLUSIONS</p> <p><a>The </a><a>non-linear relationship between</a> muscle mass and BMI may <a>partially contribute to </a><a>BMI limitations in predicting DR</a> after RYGB. </p>


Radiology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 259 (3) ◽  
pp. 808-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea S. Klauser ◽  
Ethan J. Halpern ◽  
Ralph Faschingbauer ◽  
Florian Guerra ◽  
Carlo Martinoli ◽  
...  

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 3057
Author(s):  
Chang-Mu Chen ◽  
Min-Ni Chung ◽  
Chen-Yuan Chiu ◽  
Shing-Hwa Liu ◽  
Kuo-Cheng Lan

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid. Infants with a low birth-weight have been observed in areas with high-level arsenic in drinking water ranging from 463 to 1025 μg/L. A distal muscular atrophy side effect has been observed in acute promyelocytic leukemia patients treated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) for therapy. The potential of As2O3 on muscle atrophy remains to be clarified. In this study, the myoatrophic effect of arsenic was evaluated in normal mice and sciatic nerve denervated mice exposed with or without As2O3 (0.05 and 0.5 ppm) in drinking water for 4 weeks. We found that both 0.05 and 0.5 ppm As2O3 increased the fasting plasma glucose level; but only 0.5 ppm arsenic exposure significantly decreased muscle mass, muscle endurance, and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, and increased muscle Atrogin-1 protein expression in the normal mice. Both 0.05 and 0.5 ppm As2O3 also significantly enhanced the inhibitory effects on muscle endurance, muscle mass, and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers, and increased the effect on muscle Atrogin-1 protein expression in the denervated mice. These in vivo results suggest that inorganic arsenic at doses relevant to humans may possess myoatrophic potential.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Brian T. Bennett ◽  
Junaith S. Mohamed ◽  
Stephen E. Alway

Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), a naturally occurring leucine metabolite, has been shown to attenuate plantar flexor muscle loss and increase myogenic stem cell activation during reloading after a period of significant muscle wasting by disuse in old rodents. However, it was less clear if HMB would alter dorsiflexor muscle response to unloading or reloading when there was no significant atrophy that was induced by unloading. In this study, we tested if calcium HMB (Ca-HMB) would improve muscle function and alter apoptotic signaling in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) of aged animals that were unloaded but did not undergo atrophy. The EDL muscle was unloaded for 14 days by hindlimb suspension (HS) in aged (34-36 mo.) male Fisher 344×Brown Norway rats. The rats were removed from HS and allowed normal cage ambulation for 14 days of reloading (R). Throughout the study, the rats were gavaged daily with 170 mg of Ca-HMB or water 7 days prior to HS, then throughout 14 days of HS and 14 days of recovery after removing HS. The animals’ body weights were significantly reduced by ~18% after 14 days of HS and continued to decline by ~22% during R as compared to control conditions; however, despite unloading, EDL did not atrophy by HS, nor did it increase in mass after R. No changes were observed in EDL twitch contraction time, force production, fatigue resistance, fiber cross-sectional area, or markers of nuclear apoptosis (myonuclei + satellite cells) after HS or R. While HS and R increased the proapoptotic Bax protein abundance, BCL-2 abundance was also increased as was the frequency of TUNEL-positive myonuclei and satellite cells, yet muscle mass and fiber cross-sectional area did not change and Ca-HMB treatment had no effect reducing apoptotic signaling. These data indicate that (i) increased apoptotic signaling preceded muscle atrophy or occurred without significant EDL atrophy and (ii) that Ca-HMB treatment did not improve EDL signaling, muscle mass, or muscle function in aged rats, when HS and R did not impact mass or function.


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