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Snodgrass SJ, Weber KA, Wesselink EO, Stanwell P, Elliott JM. Reduced Cervical Muscle Fat Infiltrate Is Associated with Self-Reported Recovery from Chronic Idiopathic Neck Pain Over Six Months: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Longitudinal Cohort Study. J Clin Med 2024; 13:4485. [PMID: 39124753 PMCID: PMC11312969 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13154485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: It is unclear why neck pain persists or resolves, making assessment and management decisions challenging. Muscle composition, particularly muscle fat infiltrate (MFI), is related to neck pain, but it is unknown whether MFI changes with recovery following targeted interventions. Methods: We compared muscle composition quantified from fat-water magnetic resonance images from the C3 to T1 vertebrae in individuals with and without chronic idiopathic neck pain at two times 6 months apart. Those with neck pain received six weeks of intervention (physiotherapy or chiropractic) after their baseline MRI; at 6 months, they were classified as recovered (≥3 on the 11-point Global Rating of Change scale) or not recovered. Results: At 6 months, both asymptomatic and recovered individuals had decreased MFI compared to baseline (asymptomatic estimated marginal mean difference -1.6% 95%; CI -1.9, -1.4; recovered -1.6; -1.8, -1.4; p < 0.001) whereas those classified as not recovered had increased MFI compared to baseline (0.4; 0.1, 0.7; p = 0.014), independent of age, sex and body mass index. Conclusions: It appears MFI decreases with recovery from neck pain but increases when neck pain persists. The relationship between cervical MFI and neck pain suggests MFI may inform diagnosis, theragnosis and prognosis in individuals with neck pain. Future development of a clinical test for MFI may assist in identifying patients who will benefit from targeted muscle intervention, improving outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne J. Snodgrass
- Discipline of Physiotherapy, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia
- Centre for Active Living and Learning, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights 2305, Australia
| | - Kenneth A. Weber
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA;
| | | | - Peter Stanwell
- Discipline of Medical Radiation Science (Diagnostic Radiography), The University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, Australia;
| | - James M. Elliott
- The Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney (Arabanoo) Precinct, St Leonards 2065, Australia;
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia
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Lund N, Dahlqvist Leinhard O, Elliott JM, Peterson G, Borga M, Zsigmond P, Karlsson A, Peolsson A. Fatty infiltrate and neck muscle volume in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorders compared to healthy controls - a cross sectional case-control study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2023; 24:181. [PMID: 36906537 PMCID: PMC10007742 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-023-06289-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) are not fully understood. More knowledge of morphology is needed to better understand the disorder, improve diagnostics and treatments. The aim was to investigate dorsal neck muscle volume (MV) and muscle fat infiltration (MFI) in relation to self-reported neck disability among 30 participants with chronic WAD grade II-III compared to 30 matched healthy controls. METHODS MV and MFI at spinal segments C4 through C7 in both sexes with mild- to moderate chronic WAD (n = 20), severe chronic WAD (n = 10), and age- and sex matched healthy controls (n = 30) was compared. Muscles: trapezius, splenius, semispinalis capitis and semispinalis cervicis were segmented by a blinded assessor and analyzed. RESULTS Higher MFI was found in right trapezius (p = 0.007, Cohen's d = 0.9) among participants with severe chronic WAD compared to healthy controls. No other significant difference was found for MFI (p = 0.22-0.95) or MV (p = 0.20-0.76). CONCLUSIONS There are quantifiable changes in muscle composition of right trapezius on the side of dominant pain and/or symptoms, among participants with severe chronic WAD. No other statistically significant differences were shown for MFI or MV. These findings add knowledge of the association between MFI, muscle size and self-reported neck disability in chronic WAD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NA. This is a cross-sectional case-control embedded in a cohort study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Lund
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- AMRA Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - James M Elliott
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Northern Sydney Local Health District, The Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, St Leonards, NSW, Australia
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gunnel Peterson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Magnus Borga
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- AMRA Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Zsigmond
- Department of Neurosurgery and Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anette Karlsson
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anneli Peolsson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Yang F, Liu Z, Zhu Y, Zhu Q, Zhang B. Imaging of muscle and adipose tissue in the spine: A narrative review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32051. [PMID: 36626484 PMCID: PMC9750571 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Interpretation of the morphology and characteristics of soft tissues, such as paravertebral muscles and fat, has always been a "relative blind spot" in the spine. The imaging features of the non-bony structures of the spine have been studied and reinterpreted, and changes in the non-bony structure are associated with spinal disease. Soft tissue parameters such as, the "paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area," "subcutaneous fat thickness," and the "paraspinal muscle fat infiltration rate" on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and other imaging techniques are reproducible in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of spinal disorders and have the potential for clinical application. In addition, focus on the association between sarcopenia and spinal epidural lipomatosis with spinal disorders is increasing. Currently, there is no summary of studies on fat and muscle in the spinal region. Given this, within the context of recent research trends, this article provides a synthesis of research on adipose and muscle tissue in the spine, discusses advances in the study of the imaging manifestations of these structures in spinal disorders, and expands the perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhengang Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuhang Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Qingsan Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Boyin Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- * Correspondence: Boyin Zhang, Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, China (e-mail: )
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Snodgrass SJ, Stanwell P, Weber KA, Shepherd S, Kennedy O, Thompson HJ, Elliott JM. Greater muscle volume and muscle fat infiltrate in the deep cervical spine extensor muscles (multifidus with semispinalis cervicis) in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain compared to age and sex-matched asymptomatic controls: a cross-sectional study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:973. [PMID: 36357864 PMCID: PMC9647973 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05924-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle size and composition (muscle volume and muscle fat infiltrate [MFI]) may provide insight into possible mechanisms underpinning chronic idiopathic neck pain, a common condition with no definitive underlying pathology. In individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain > 3 months and age- and sex-matched asymptomatic controls, muscle volumes of levator scapulae, multifidus including semispinalis cervicis (MFSS), semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis including splenius cervicis (SCSC), sternocleidomastoid and longus colli from C3 through T1 were quantified from magnetic resonance imaging. Between-group differences were determined using linear mixed models, accounting for side (left or right), muscle, spinal level, sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Individuals with pain had greater muscle volume (mean difference 76.8mm3; 95% CI 26.6-127.0; p = .003) and MFI (2.3%; 0.2-4.5; p = .034) of the MFSS compared to matched controls with no differences in relative volume, accounting for factors associated with the outcomes: muscle, spinal level, side (left had smaller volume, relative volume and MFI than right), sex (females had less volume and relative volume than males), age (older age associated with less relative volume and greater MFI), and BMI (higher BMI associated with greater muscle volume and MFI). Greater MFI in individuals with chronic idiopathic neck pain suggests a possible underlying mechanism contributing to neck pain. Perspective: These findings suggest MFI in the MFSS may be radiologic sign, potentially identifying patients with a less favourable prognosis. Future studies are needed to confirm this finding and determine if MFI is a contributor to the development or persistence of neck pain, or consequence of neck pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne J Snodgrass
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Australia ,grid.413648.cHunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Peter Stanwell
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Australia ,grid.413648.cHunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, Australia
| | - Kenneth A. Weber
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
| | - Samala Shepherd
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Olivia Kennedy
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Hannah J Thompson
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, Australia
| | - James M Elliott
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XThe University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health & The Northern Sydney Local Health District - The Kolling Institute, Level 13, NSW St Leonards, Australia ,grid.16753.360000 0001 2299 3507Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL USA
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Grondin F, Freppel S, Jull G, Gérard T, Caderby T, Peyrot N. Fat Infiltration of Multifidus Muscle Is Correlated with Neck Disability in Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195522. [PMID: 36233390 PMCID: PMC9571215 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic non-specific neck pain (CINP) is common, but the etiology remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between cervical muscle composition (cervical multifidus and longus capitis/longus colli), morphometry, range of movement, muscle function, and disability severity (Neck Disability Index) in patients with CINP. Methods: From September 2020 to July 2021, subjects underwent cervical MRI and clinical tests (cervical range of motion, cranio-cervical flexion test, neck flexor, and extensor muscle endurance). MRI analysis comprised muscle cross-sectional area, volume, and fat infiltration of multifidus and longus colli between C4 and C7 levels. Results: Twenty-five participants were included. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that NDI was positively correlated with the volume percentage of fat infiltration of the multifidus (B = 0.496), negatively correlated with fat-free muscle volume of the multifidus normalized by subject height (B = −0.230), and accounted for 32% of the variance. There was no relationship between neck disability and longus capitis/longus colli morphology. We also found no relationship between neck disability scores, neck flexor or extensor muscle endurance, or the outcome motor control test of craniocervical flexion (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Neck disability was moderately correlated with the percentage of fat volume in the multifidus muscle and fat-free volume of the multifidus. There was no relationship between NDI scores and muscle function test outcomes or any fat or volume measures pertaining to the longus colli muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Grondin
- Laboratory IRISSE, EA4075, Faculty of Human and Environment Sciences, University of La Réunion, 97430 Le Tampon, France
- Neurosurgey Department, University Hospital of La Réunion, 97410 Saint-Pierre, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +262-69-310-1725
| | - Sébastien Freppel
- Neurosurgey Department, University Hospital of La Réunion, 97410 Saint-Pierre, France
| | - Gwendolen Jull
- Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Thomas Gérard
- Institute of Health Engineering, University of Picardie Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
| | - Teddy Caderby
- Laboratory IRISSE, EA4075, Faculty of Human and Environment Sciences, University of La Réunion, 97430 Le Tampon, France
| | - Nicolas Peyrot
- Laboratory IRISSE, EA4075, Faculty of Human and Environment Sciences, University of La Réunion, 97430 Le Tampon, France
- Laboratory Movement Interactions Performance, MIP UR4334, Le Mans University, 72000 Le Mans, France
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Peolsson A, Karlsson A, Peterson G, Borén H, Zsigmond P, Elliott JM, Leinhard OD. Morphology and composition of the ventral neck muscles in individuals with chronic whiplash related disorders compared to matched healthy controls: a cross-sectional case-control study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:867. [PMID: 36114530 PMCID: PMC9482301 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05811-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVE: Studies of cross-sectional area (CSA) (morphology) and muscle fat infiltration (MFI) (composition) in ventral neck muscles is scarce in patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD), especially for men and those with severe WAD compared with matched healthy controls. The aim was to compare CSA and MFI of sternocleidomastoid (SCM), longus capitis (LCA) and longus colli (LCO) in patients with chronic right-sided dominant moderate (Neck Disability Index: NDI < 40) or severe WAD (NDI ≥ 40), compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. METHODS Cross-sectional case-control study with blinded investigators. Thirty-one patients with chronic WAD (17 women and 14 men, mean age 40 years) (SD 12.6, range 20-62)) and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging of ventral neck muscles segmental level C4. RESULTS Unique to the severe group was a larger magnitude of MFI in right SCM (p = 0.02) compared with healthy controls. There was no significant difference between the groups with regards to the other muscles and measures. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with severe right-sided dominant WAD have a higher MFI in the right SCM compared to healthy controls. No other differences were found between the groups. The present study indicates that there are changes in the composition of muscles on the side of greatest pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneli Peolsson
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Unit of Clinical Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden ,grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Health, Medicine & Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden ,grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anette Karlsson
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gunnel Peterson
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Health, Medicine & Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden ,grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
| | - Hanna Borén
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Health, Medicine & Caring Sciences, Unit of Physiotherapy, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Zsigmond
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - James M. Elliott
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XThe University of Sydney and the Northern Sydney Local Health District, The Kolling Institute, St. Leonards, NSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard
- grid.5640.70000 0001 2162 9922Department of Health, Medicine & Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Gerdle B, Dahlqvist Leinhard O, Lund E, Bengtsson A, Lundberg P, Ghafouri B, Forsgren MF. Fibromyalgia: Associations Between Fat Infiltration, Physical Capacity, and Clinical Variables. J Pain Res 2022; 15:2517-2535. [PMID: 36061487 PMCID: PMC9434492 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s376590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obesity is a risk factor for the development of fibromyalgia (FM) and generally most studies report increased Body Mass Index (BMI) in FM. Obesity in FM is associated with a worse clinical presentation. FM patients have low physical conditioning and obesity further exacerbates these aspects. Hitherto studies of FM have focused upon a surrogate for overall measure of fat content, ie, BMI. This study is motivated by that ectopic fat and adipose tissues are rarely investigated in FM including their relationships to physical capacity variables. Moreover, their relationships to clinical variables including are not known. Aims were to 1) compare body composition between FM and healthy controls and 2) investigate if significant associations exist between body composition and physical capacity aspects and important clinical variables. Methods FM patients (n = 32) and healthy controls (CON; n = 30) underwent a clinical examination that included pressure pain thresholds and physical tests. They completed a health questionnaire and participated in whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine body composition aspects. Results Abdominal adipose tissues, muscle fat, and BMI were significantly higher in FM, whereas muscle volumes of quadriceps were smaller. Physical capacity variables correlated negatively with body composition variables in FM. Both body composition and physical capacity variables were significant regressors of group belonging; the physical capacity variables alone showed stronger relationships with group membership. A mix of body composition variables and physical capacity variables were significant regressors of pain intensity and impact in FM. Body composition variables were the strongest regressors of blood pressures, which were increased in FM. Conclusion Obesity has a negative influence on FM symptomatology and increases the risk for other serious conditions. Hence, obesity, dietary habits, and physical activity should be considered when developing clinical management plans for patients with FM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Gerdle
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- Correspondence: Björn Gerdle, Tel +46763927191, Email
| | - Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard
- Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Physics, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- AMRA Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Eva Lund
- Department of Radiation Physics, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
| | - Ann Bengtsson
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
| | - Peter Lundberg
- Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Physics, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
| | - Bijar Ghafouri
- Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
| | - Mikael Fredrik Forsgren
- Centre for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- Department of Radiation Physics, and Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, SE 581 83, Sweden
- AMRA Medical AB, Linköping, Sweden
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Huang Z, Bai Z, Yan J, Zhang Y, Li S, Yuan L, Huang D, Ye W. Association between muscle morphology changes, cervical spine degeneration and clinical features in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis. World Neurosurg 2021; 159:e273-e284. [PMID: 34929370 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the correlations among cervical paraspinal muscle morphology changes (fatty infiltration (FI) and muscle atrophy), cervical degeneration and clinical features in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain (CNSNP). METHODS The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 55 consecutive patients (average age 35.80) with CNSNP were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Muscle morphology changes in seven groups of paraspinal muscles, indicated by the adjusted cross-sectional area (aCSA) and FI ratio (FI%), were measured from C3/4 to C6/7. The correlations of these changes with disc degeneration, cervical balance (C2-7 angle and cervical alignment) and clinical features (severity of neck pain and related disability and the frequency of acute neck pain (ANP) recurrence) were evaluated. RESULTS Significant correlations between FI% and aCSA and the grade of disc degeneration were observed in specific muscle groups at each level (p<0.05). Morphological changes in the deep extensors and superficial paraspinal muscles were significantly associated with cervical balance parameters (p<0.05). The FI% showed a significant positive correlation, while aCSA showed a significant negative correlation with the severity of neck pain and related disability (p<0.05). Correlations between morphological changes and the frequency of ANP recurrence were also present for some muscles (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Correlations among muscle morphology changes, cervical degeneration and clinical features were established for patients with CNSNP, and muscle volume changes and FI might affect CNSNP in diverse manners through different paraspinal muscle groups. These results implicated the complex contribution of muscle morphological changes to cervical degeneration and the clinical course of CNSNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengqi Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiqiang Bai
- Department of Radiology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiansen Yan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuangxing Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Yuan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dongsheng Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Ye
- Department of Spine Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Echo-intensity, fatty infiltration, and morphology ultrasound imaging assessment in healthy and whiplash associated disorders populations: an observational study. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2021; 30:3059-3067. [PMID: 34218342 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-021-06915-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although changes in muscle morphology and quality in deep neck flexors seem to be clear in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), evidence for deep neck extensors is heterogeneous. In addition, most studies have used magnetic resonance imaging or computer tomography, which is not available for regular practice. OBJECTIVES To assess differences in deep neck extensors morphology and quality between patients with WAD and controls with ultrasound imaging (US) and to assess the association of imaging findings with clinical features. METHODS One hundred and sixty brightness-mode images at C4/C5 level were acquired in 41 patients with WAD and 39 pain-free controls. Muscle morphology and quality characteristics of the cervical multifidus (CM) and short rotators (SR), clinical pain features and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed in a blinded design. RESULTS Between-groups differences in both CM and SR were observed for fatty infiltration percentage (mean: 4.9%; P < 0.001; mean: 3.5%; P < 0.05, respectively) and mean EI (mean: 4.1; P < 0.001; mean: 3.2; P < 0.05, respectively): patients exhibited higher fatty infiltration than controls. The intensity of neck pain was negatively associated with multifidus CSA and perimeter (P < 0.001); symptoms duration was negatively associated with CM morphology (P < 0.001), CM mean EI (P < 0.05) and SR morphology (P < 0.05); pain-related disability was associated with CM morphology (P < 0.001) and SR mean EI (P < 0.05); and PPTs was associated with CM mean EI (P < 0.01) and FI (p < 0.05) and SR morphology (P < 0.001). No significant effect of gender was found in any analysis. CONCLUSION US assessment of deep cervical extensors revealed greater fatty infiltration, but no differences in muscle morphology, between WAD patients and pain-free controls.
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