Abstract
BackgroundIt is known that individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) have small and weak muscles. However, no studies to date have investigated intramuscular fat infiltration in this group. The objective of this study is to determine whether adults with BSCP have greater adiposity in and around their skeletal muscles than their typically developing (TD) peers as this may have significant functional and cardio-metabolic implications for this patient group.Methods10 young adults with BSCP (7 male, mean age 22.5 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III), and 10 TD young adults (6 male, mean age 22.8 years) took part in this study. 11 cm sections of the left leg of all subjects were imaged using multi-echo gradient echo chemical shift imaging (mDixon). Percentage intermuscular fat (IMAT), intramuscular fat (IntraMF) and a subcutaneous fat to muscle volume ratio (SF/M) were calculated.ResultsIntraMF was higher with BSCP for all muscles (p = 0.001-0.013) and was significantly different between GMFCS levels (p < 0.001), with GMFCS level III having the highest IntraMF content. IMAT was also higher with BSCP p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in SF/M between groups.ConclusionYoung adults with BSCP have increased intermuscular and intramuscular fat compared to their TD peers. The relationship between these findings and potential cardio-metabolic and functional sequelae are yet to be investigated.
Highlights
It is known that individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) have small and weak muscles
Anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging have demonstrated that the skeletal muscles of the lower limbs of individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) are reduced in size by up to 50% compared to the muscles of their typically developing (TD) peers [2,3,4]
The aim of this study is to investigate the intermuscular fat (IMAT), subcutaneous fat (SF) and intramuscular fat (IntraMF) content in five major muscles of the leg in 10 subjects with BSCP and 10 TD subjects using multi-echo gradient echo chemical shift imaging
Summary
It is known that individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) have small and weak muscles. Anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging have demonstrated that the skeletal muscles of the lower limbs of individuals with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP) are reduced in size by up to 50% compared to the muscles of their typically developing (TD) peers [2,3,4]. Intramuscular fat may secrete inflammatory cytokines that can reduce the myofibrillar force even in the absence of muscle atrophy [13]. If present in this group, raised intramuscular fat may have important consequences for physical performance, and implications for exercise regimes employed in their physical management [14]
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