Measurements of skeletal muscle cross-sectional area, index, and radiation attenuation utilizing clinical computed tomography (CT) scans are used in assessments of sarcopenia, the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function associated with aging. To classify individuals as sarcopenic, sex-specific cutoffs for ‘low’ values are used. Conventionally, cutoffs for skeletal muscle measurements at the level of the third lumbar (L3) vertebra are used, however L3 is not included in several clinical CT protocols. Non-contrast-enhanced CT scans from healthy kidney donor candidates (age 18–40) at Michigan Medicine were utilized. Skeletal muscle area (SMA), index (SMI), and mean attenuation (SMRA) were measured at each vertebral level between the tenth thoracic (T10) and the fifth lumbar (L5) vertebra. Sex-specific means, standard deviations (s.d.), and sarcopenia cutoffs (mean-2 s.d.) at each vertebral level were computed. Associations between vertebral levels were assessed using Pearson correlations and Tukey’s difference test. Classification agreement between different vertebral level cutoffs was assessed using overall accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. SMA, SMI, and SMRA L3 cutoffs for sarcopenia were 92.2 cm2, 34.4 cm2/m2, and 34.3 HU in females, and 144.3 cm2, 45.4 cm2/m2, and 38.5 HU in males, consistent with previously reported cutoffs. Correlations between all level pairs were statistically significant and high, ranging from 0.65 to 0.95 (SMA), 0.64 to 0.95 (SMI), and 0.63 to 0.95 (SMRA). SMA peaks at L3, supporting its use as the primary site for CT sarcopenia measurements. However, when L3 is not available alternative levels (in order of preference) are L2, L4, L5, L1, T12, T11, and T10. Healthy reference values reported here enable sarcopenia assessment and sex-specific standardization of SMA, SMI, and SMRA in clinical populations, including those whose CT protocols do not include L3.
We quantified reference values for lumbar and thoracic muscle CSA measures in a healthy US population. We defined the effect of IV contrast and different HU ranges for muscle. Combined, these results facilitate the extraction of clinically valuable data from the large numbers of existing scans performed for medical indications.
Radiotherapy is an effective, personalized cancer treatment that has benefited from technological advances associated with growing ability to identify and target tumors with accuracy and precision. As these advances have played a central role in the success of radiation therapy as a major component of comprehensive cancer care, the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored a workshop entitled “Technology for Innovation in Radiation Oncology”, which took place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD, on June 13-14, 2013. The purpose of this workshop was to discuss emerging technology for the field and recognize areas for greater research investment. Expert clinicians and scientists discussed innovative technology in radiation oncology, in particular as to how they are being developed and translated to clinical practice in the face of current and future challenges and opportunities. Technologies encompassed topics in functional imaging, treatment devices, nanotechnology, as well as information technology. The technical, quality, and safety performance of these technologies were also considered. A major theme of the workshop was the growing importance of innovation in the domain of process automation and oncology informatics. The technologically-advanced nature of radiation therapy treatments pre-disposes radiation oncology research teams to take on informatics research initiatives. In addition, the discussion on technology development was balanced with a parallel conversation regarding the need for evidence of efficacy and effectiveness. The linkage between the need for evidence and the efforts in informatics research were clearly identified as synergistic.
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