Difference and correlation of posterior vertebral muscle composition at different levels measured by quantitative computed tomography
Objective To investigate the difference and correlation of posterior vertebral muscle composition at L3 and L5 levels.Methods CT examination of the lumbar spine was performed in 659 volunteers aged 21-60 years,including 276 males and 383 females.Cross-sectional muscle area(CSMA),intra-muscular adipose area(IMAA),and muscle fat infiltration(MFI)of the posterior vertebral muscle at L3 and L5 levels were measured by quantitative computed tomography(QCT).An independent samples t-test was used to compare the muscle composition between males and females.The paired samples t-test was used to compare the muscle composition between two levels.Correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used to determine the relationships of muscle composition between L3 and L5 levels.Results The CSMA at L3 and L5 levels in males was higher than that in females(t = 27.905,7.450,P＜0.001),and the MFI was lower than that in females(t =-9.091,-11.755,P＜0.001).The CSMA at L3 level was higher than that at L5 level(t = 55.850,P＜0.001),while the IMAA and MFI were lower than that at L5 level(t =-34.788,-57.774,P＜0.001).The CSMA(r = 0.459,0.365,P＜0.01),IMAA(r = 0.336,0.325,P＜0.01)and MFI(r = 0.421,0.455,P＜0.01)at L3 level were positively correlated with that at L5 level,respectively.All regression equations had statistical significance(P＜0.001).Conclusions There are differences and correlations in the posterior vertebral muscle composition at L3 and L5 levels,and the measurement level can be replaced if necessary.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
