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Muscle cross-section measurement by magnetic resonance imaging

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Summary

Muscle cross-section areas were measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the thigh of a human cadaver,. the results being compared with those obtained by photography of corresponding anatomic macroslices. A close correlation was found between MRI and photographic evaluation, differences between the methods ranging from nil to 9.5%, depending on the scan position and the muscle groups. In vivo MRI measurements were performed on 12 female and 16 male students, the objectivity, the test-retest reliability and the variability of the MRI measurements being studied by fixing the scan position either manually or by coronary scan. The latter method appeared to be more objective and reliable. The coefficients of variation for muscle cross-section areas measured by MRI were in the range of those for the planimetry of given cross-section areas. Allowing for differentiation between several small muscle bundles in a given area, MRI proved to be a suitable method to quantify muscle cross-sections for intra- and interindividual analysis of muscle size.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Sportmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Oskar-Helene-Heim, Clayallee 229, W-1000, Berlin 33, Germany

    Ralph Beneke

  2. Klinik für Radiologische Diagnostik des Klinikums der RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 1, W-5100, Aachen, Germany

    Jörg Neuerburg & Klaus Bohndorf

Authors
  1. Ralph Beneke
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  2. Jörg Neuerburg
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  3. Klaus Bohndorf
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Beneke, R., Neuerburg, J. & Bohndorf, K. Muscle cross-section measurement by magnetic resonance imaging. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 63, 424–429 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00868073

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00868073

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