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Advances in magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of sarcopenia
WANG Yiou  HUANG Chenxi  ZHANG Xiaodong 

Cite this article as: WANG Y O, HUANG C X, ZHANG X D. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of sarcopenia[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2025, 16(7): 209-214. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.07.033.


[Abstract] Sarcopenia, a prevalent degenerative syndrome in the elderly population, is characterized by progressive declines in skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function. Its pathogenesis involves multiple pathophysiological factors, including disrupted proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation, ultimately leading to impaired physical capacity and loss of independence. Current literature demonstrates that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its advantages of non-invasiveness, high soft-tissue resolution, and multiparametric quantitative analysis capabilities, has emerged as a pivotal imaging modality for investigating sarcopenia pathology and clinical assessment. Utilizing techniques such as basic structural sequences, quantitative mapping techniques, and advanced functional MRI (fMRI) techniques, MRI provides critical insights. Multiple studies confirm that MRI-derived muscle metrics serve as independent predictors for adverse outcomes including frailty and postoperative complications in older adults. However, limitations persist in MRI-based sarcopenia evaluation, notably the lack of standardized protocols and underutilization of advanced fMRI. Future research should prioritize developing integrated multimodal imaging frameworks, combining quantitative MRI with radiomics analysis. This review systematically elaborates on the pathobiology of sarcopenia and provides an in-depth analysis of MRI applications in muscle morphometry, compositional quantification, and functional evaluation, aiming to advance clinical diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.
[Keywords] sarcopenia；disorders of muscles；magnetic resonance imaging；frailty；prognostic assessment

WANG Yiou1   HUANG Chenxi2   ZHANG Xiaodong1*  

1 Department of Medical Imaging, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopedics Guangdong Province), Guangzhou 510630, China

2 The First Clinical Medical School of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China

Corresponding author: ZHANG X D, E-mail: ddautumn@126.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-04-21
Accepted  2025-07-07
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.07.033
Cite this article as: WANG Y O, HUANG C X, ZHANG X D. Advances in magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of sarcopenia[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2025, 16(7): 209-214. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.07.033.

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