Objective
This paper will review the increasing evidence that ultrasound techniques may be suitable to determine whole body skeletal muscle mass.
Background
Whole body skeletal muscle mass constitutes approximately 30-40% of the body mass in healthy individuals. Skeletal muscle mass plays an important role in many physiologic and disease processes such as the growth and development of children, catabolic disease, exercise science and gerontology. Measurements of total skeletal muscle mass are required in clinical and research fields to establish normative and baseline data, and to monitor the progress of physiologic processes, disease and interventions.
Although there are a number of techniques which are available to measure whole body skeletal muscle mass, the imaging techniques of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed tomography and Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry have been established as the most precise and accurate techniques. These techniques however are not always suitable due to safety concerns including exposure to ionising radiation, expense, limited availability and non-portability. There is a need for accurate and precise measurement techniques for whole body skeletal muscle mass which are not only precise and accurate but also safe, convenient and portable.
Conclusion
Ultrasound is emerging as a technique that potentially can be used to accurately predict whole body skeletal muscle mass without the limitations of other imaging modalities.