Review Article

Imaging methods for the control and treatment of sarcopenia

Eleni Gioutlaki^1,2, Thomas Karyakatzis², George I. Lambrou^1,3,4

1. Postgraduate Program “Metabolic Bones Diseases”, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece
2. “G.Gennimatas” General Hospital, Athens, Greece
3. Laboratory for Research of the Musculoskeletal System “Th. Garofalidis”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital of Athens KAT, Greece
4. First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Choremeio Research Laboratory, Athens, Greece

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Keywords: Sarcopenia, Quality of life, Body mass composition, Magnetic resonance imaging, DXA

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Abstract

Sarcopenia is a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass with advancing age. Both imaging and non-imaging methods are used for sarcopenia’s diagnosis. The use of non-imaging techniques refer to the use of SARC-F scale questionnaires and the physical ability tests. On the other hand, from the group of imaging techniques used for sarcopenia’s diagnosis the ones that assess the body mass composition (Body Composition) are: the ultrasound imaging (US), the Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the computed tomography scan (CT) and the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this review we refer more specific to Magnetic resonance imaging as the specialized imaging method as far as the identification of loss of muscle tissue quality. Sarcopenia is a common disease that has a negative impact on patients’ health, as well as a heavy financial and social burden for the developed world. Today, imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing patients with sarcopenia.

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