ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Factors influencing paraspinal muscle degeneration are still not well understood. Fatty infiltration is known to be one main feature of the degeneration cascade. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to illustrate the 3D cluster of paraspinal lumbar muscle degeneration on T2-weighted MRI images using our newly developed software application 'iSix'. METHODS: Mono- (Mm. rotatores), multi- (Mm. multifidus) and pluri-segmental (M. erector spinae) lumbar muscles groups were segmented on T2-weighted MR sequences using a novel computer-assisted technique for quantitative muscle/fat discrimination. The degree of fatty infiltration of the three predefined muscle groups was compared on a 3-dimensional basis, with regard to segment involvement and age. General linear models were utilized for statistical comparison. RESULTS: N = 120 segments (age: 52.7; range 16-87 years) could be included. The overall relative fatty infiltration of the mono-segmental muscles was higher (21.1 14.5%) compared to the multi-segmental (16.0 8.8% p = 0.049) and pluri-segmental muscles (8.5 8.0%; p = 0.03). Mono-segmental muscles on the levels L4/5 (22.9 ± 10.2 [CI 17.6-28.2] %) and L5/S1 (27.01 ± 15.1 [CI 21.4-32.7] %) showed a significant higher amount of fat compared to the levels L2/3 (8.2 ± 6.8 [CI 2.2-14.2] %; L4/5 vs. L2/3, p = 0.03; L5/S1 vs. L2/3, p = 0.02) and L3/4 (13.2 ± 5.4 [CI 8.6-17.7]%; L4/5 vs. L3/4, p = 0.02; L5/S1 vs. L3/4, p < 0.01). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed age and Pfirrmann grade as independent factors for fatty muscle degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: 3D analysis of fatty infiltration is an innovative tool to study lumbar muscle degeneration. Mono-segmental muscles are more severely affected by degeneration compared to multi-/pluri-segmental muscles, especially at the L4/5 and L5/S1 level. Age and disc degeneration independently correlate with muscle degeneration.
