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N. Lund1, A. Peolsson2, A. Karlsson3, O. Dahlqvist Leinhard2
1Linkoping University, Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linkoping, Sweden, 2Linkoping University, Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linkoping, Sweden, 3Linkoping University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Linkoping, Sweden
Background: Previous research has established the presence of increased muscle fat infiltration (MFI) without change in cross sectional area in musculature of the neck in individuals with Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD). There is no study to date investigating levels of MFI and muscle volume between healthy controls and individuals with WAD in the current study’s selection of muscles. A comparison is important to better understand pathophysiological mechanisms and in turn potentially lead to better diagnostics and rehabilitation for chronic WAD.
Purpose: To compare the presence of MFI and muscle volume in musculature of the neck in individuals with chronic WAD grades II-III compared to healthy age- and gender-matched controls.
Methods: Muscle volume and MFI were investigated by a blinded assessor using semi-automated segmentation of water/fat-separated MRI in 30 participants with chronic WAD grades II-III compared to 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Segmentations of m. trapezius, m. splenius, m. semispinalis cervicis and m. semispinalis capitis, were analyzed between spinal segmental levels C4 to C7. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA.
Results: No significant differences were shown between the two groups regarding volume of the muscles (p=0.14-0.97) or fatty infiltrate within the muscles (p=0.15-0.98).
Conclusion(s): No significant differences could be observed between individuals with chronic WAD grades II-III and healthy age- and gender-matched controls regarding muscle volume or MFI.
Implications: These findings indicate that individuals with chronic WAD grades II-III do not have a change in levels of MFI or muscle volume in the study’s selection of muscles. Increased knowledge about the presence of MFI and muscle volume can bring insight about pathophysiological mechanisms in chronic WAD and provide a base for further research.
Funding, acknowledgements: The study was funded through the Swedish Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden.
Keywords: WAD, MRI, Fatty infiltration
Topic: Musculoskeletal: spine
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Linkoping University
Committee: Central Ethical Review Board
Ethics number: DNR 2011/262-32
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
