Background: Temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has been reported as a novel surrogate marker for sarcopenia. We investigated the value of TMT in predicting outcomes of ischemic stroke patients undergoing reperfusion therapy.
Method: Patients were recruited from the Selection Criteria in Endovascular Thrombectomy and Thrombolytic Therapy (SECRET) registry. Using CT images before reperfusion therapy, TMT was measured perpendicular to the long axis of the temporal muscle at the slice 5 mm above the orbital roof. TMT on both sides were determined separately and calculated as mean values for analysis. Primary outcomes were defined as poor functional outcome at 3 months (mRS≥3) and secondary outcomes were defined as death within 6 months.
Results: A total of 304 patients were included from the prospective SECRET cohort. TMT was thinner in patients with poor outcomes (7.0 ± 2.2 mm) compared to good outcomes (8.0 ± 2.2 mm, p <0.001). Surviving patients had higher TMT (7.8 ± 2.2 mm) than non-survivors (5.5 ± 1.5 mm, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TMT was an independent predictor of poor outcome at 3 months [odds ratio (OR) 0.857, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.742 - 0.989 ]. TMT was also an independent predictor of death within 6 months (OR 0.563, 95% CI 0.414 - 0.766).
Conclusion: TMT was predictive of poor functional outcome at 3 months and death within 6 months after reperfusion therapy. A simple measurement of temporal muscle using non-contrast CT images may be helpful in predicting outcomes after reperfusion therapy.