A research team of the Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center has developed a method to diagnose a patient's spinal muscle aging.

"Spinal muscle evaluation currently is possible only through expensive MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scans with high radiation exposure," the team said. “Accordingly, there was a demand for a cheaper and more effective inspection method."

To resolve such a problem, the team, led by Professor Lee Sang-yoon of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, examined whether DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) device alone can accurately diagnose spinal muscles.

After composing a cohort of 20 older adults over the age of 65 with no walking and mild back pain problems, the team compared and analyzed the participants' DEXA and 3D lumbar MRI scan results.

It found that the spinal muscle mass obtained by projecting DEXA to the lateral side of the spine showed a close correlation with the spinal muscle mass and spinal extensor strength measured by the 3D lumbar MRI scan.

The team said this study is meaningful by revealing that it is possible to evaluate spinal muscular mass using relatively inexpensive and simple DEXA rather than MRI.

"By projecting DEXA, mainly used for diagnosis of osteoporosis and evaluation of muscle mass in the limbs, the team confirmed that quantitative analysis of the state of the muscles around the spine is possible," Professor Lee said. "If we can expand such an inexpensive and simple test method to check the condition of the spinal muscles, it will be of great help to diagnose the aging of the spinal muscles in advance and prevent accompanying degenerative spinal diseases."

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle has published the results of the study.