Methodologies and clinical applications of lower limb muscle ultrasound in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
Measurements of muscle mass using ultrasound varied with reference to patient characteristics, patient position, anatomical landmarks used for measurement, and the level of compression applied by the probe; this constrains the external validity of the results and highlights the need for standardization.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill adults assessed with lower limb muscle ultrasound
- Participants
- 3,839 adults · 66 studies
- Outcome
- RF-CSA at ICU admission
- Follow-up
- ICU admission
Methodological detailsmeta-regression, PRISMA
- Meta-regression
- PRISMA
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Range across studies (cm²)
1.1 [0.73-1.47] to 6.36 [5.45-7.27]
Pooled average (cm²)
2.83
2.29–3.37
Heterogeneity I2
98.43%
Further pooled results
Muscles investigated
- Rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA)
- n = 33/66
- Quadriceps muscle layer thickness
- n = 32/66
- Rectus femoris thickness
- n = 19/66
Determinants of baseline muscle mass (meta-regression)
- Higher age, higher BMI, more distal landmark and probe compression associated with lower baseline muscle mass
- Significant differences in anatomical landmark and ultrasound settings
Original publication
Methodologies and clinical applications of lower limb muscle ultrasound in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intensive Care. Published 24 October 2024. doi:10.
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