Analysis of muscle mass by computed tomography in patients with head and neck cancer: a prospective study

Análise da massa muscular por tomografia computadorizada em pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço: um estudo prospectivo

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the preoperative muscle mass of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) with computed tomography (CT), comparing the results obtained through analysis of cross-sectional areas at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) with those obtained through analysis of cross-sectional areas at the levels of the third cervical and fourth thoracic vertebrae (C3 and T4, respectively).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 63 patients with HNC were evaluated preoperatively. Using CT, we assessed muscle mass at L3, as well as at C3 and T4.

Results:

Most (73.0%) of the patients had low muscle mass at L3, whereas 50.8% had a normal body mass index. The cross-sectional area at L3 correlated strongly with those at C3 and T4 (r = 0.831 and r = 0.763, respectively; p < 0.001 for both). In addition, the muscle mass index at L3 correlated strongly with those at C3 and T4 (r = 0.781 and r = 0.715, respectively; p < 0.001 for both).

Conclusion:

Low muscle mass appears to be highly prevalent in patients with HNC. Measurements at C3 and T4 could represent alternative means of assessing muscle mass in such patients.

Keywords:
Head and neck neoplasms; Body composition; Tomography; X-ray computed; Nutritional assessment; Preoperative period