Ultrasound cut-off values for muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity in Caucasian adults: a narrative review.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

The aging process is accompanied by the loss of muscle mass. Ultrasound emerges as promising, although, ultrasound routine screening for low muscle mass is challenging due to the lack of reference values. This review presents a comprehensive overview of cut-off values for predicting and diagnosing low muscle mass and quality.

Methods

We used PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to gather pertinent articles up until April 2024. The quality of the articles was screened with the Pretorius and Keating [2008] assessment questionnaire. Our aim was to identify articles that assessed cut-off values for skeletal muscle thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA), and echo intensity using ultrasound in Caucasian adults.

Key content and findings

This

SUBMITTER: Van den Broeck J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11994489 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature