Table 1.
MRI parameters for individual studies
| Citation | Field Strength (Tesla) | Axial MRI Sequence |
Slice thickness (mm) (Gap) |
MRI slice selection range | Muscle of interest | Size | Fat |
Reliability (Kappa Score/ ICC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ackland et al., 2019 [66] | 3 |
● T2- FS (water excitation) ● MEDIC |
1 (NR) |
Sacral promontory to the inferior aspect of the pubic arch (~ 200 slices) |
TFL Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC = 0.997 (GMin), 0.999 (Gmed), 1.00 (TFL) 5 randomly selected participants, re-evaluated, least 1 month apart |
|
|
Agten et al., 2017 [68] |
1.5 |
● STIR & optimized inversion pulse ● T1 |
7 & 6 (no gap) |
NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Inter-rater k = 0.548 |
|
| Amabile et al., 2017 [104] | 1.5 | ● T1 TSE |
5 (no gap) |
Sacrum (S1) to femoral condyles |
TFL Gmax Gmed GMin |
✓ | NA | |
| Arokoski et al., 2002 [82] | 1.5 | ● T1 TSE | NR | NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Belzunce et al., 2020a [52] | 3 |
● T1 TSE ● DIXON |
1.5 (0.45) |
3 cm below the lesser trochanter to the top of the iliac crest | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Belzunce et al., 2020b[53] | 3 |
● T1 TSE ● DIXON |
1.5 & 3 (1.95 & 3.3) |
Pelvis |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Belzunce et al., 2021[91] | 3 | ● DIXON |
1.5 (1.95) |
1 cm below the lesser trochanter to the top of the iliac crest | Gmax | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| Berber et al., 2015 [122] | NA |
● T1 TSE ● T2 TSE |
NR | NR |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Inter-rater k = 0.463 |
|
| Bravo et al., 2013 [90] | 1.5 | ● T1 |
5 (no gap) |
NR | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Bremer et al., 2011 [93] | 1.5 | ● T1 SE | NR | NR |
TFL Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Burian et al., 2020 [54] | 3 | ● MEDIC |
1.5 (NR) |
Gluteal region | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Chi et al., 2015 [72] | 1.5 |
● T1 SE ● T2- FSE fat-saturated |
4–5 (1) |
ASIS to the ischia (including both hips) |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Cowan et al., 2019 [19] | 3 |
● T1 ● PD- with and without fat saturation |
4 (NR) |
Top of the iliac crest to the lesser trochanter |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC [Size] = 0.999 10 randomly selected muscles, re-evaluated, 6 months apart |
| De Anta-Diaz et al., 2016 [94] | 1.5 |
● T1 SE ● STIR |
3–4 (NR) |
NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Dorado et al., 2020 [51] | 1.5 | ● NR |
8 (2) |
Trunk and pelvis |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Ebert et al., 2019 [71] |
1.5 3 |
● T2 fat-saturated |
3.5 (NR) |
NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Inter-rater k: Ranged from 0.855 (middle portion Gmed) to 0.913 (anterior portion of the Gmin) First 41 consecutive MRI scans were evaluated |
|
| Emery et al., 2019 [86] | 3 | ● PD FSE |
4 (1.5) |
NR | TFL | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC (TFL) = 1.0 (CI: 1,000, 1.000) 10 randomly selected participants, re-evaluated, 6 weeks apart |
|
| Engelken et al., 2014 [42] | 1.5 | ● T1 SE |
4–6 (NR) |
The pelvis |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater (3 observers) Quartile classification: k = 0.90, 0.90, 0.92 Goutallier classification: k = of 0.81, 0.72, 0.77 |
|
| Flack et al., 2012 [73] | 1.5 |
● T1 PD ● T1 3D-fast field echo |
4 (NR) |
The highest point of iliac crest superiorly to the base of the lesser trochanter |
TFL Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC range: 0.979–0.996 (GMed), 0.886–0.995 (GMin), 0.950–0.994 (TFL) |
|
| Franettovich-Smith et al., 2017 [35] | 3 | ● T2 |
5 (6) |
Top of the iliac crest to the inferior gluteal fold |
Gmax Gmed |
✓ | NA | |
| Gerber et al., 2007 [123] | 1.5 | ● T1 SE |
8 (15) |
NR | Gmax | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC > 0.99 |
|
|
Grimaldi et al., 2009 [23] (Gmax/TFL) Grimaldi et al., 2009 [24] (GMin/GMed) |
1.5 | ● T2 FISP |
6 (NR) |
Iliac crest to the most distal extent of the Gmax muscle |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC Range: 0.870- 0.990 (TFL, Gmax) 0.985- 0.989 (Gmed, Gmin) 1 participant, all slices re-evaluated, 6 weeks apart |
|
| Handsfield et al., 2014 [105] | 3 | ● 2D multi-slice sequence utilising spiral gradient echo |
5 (NR) |
Iliac crest to the ankle joint |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Homma et al., 2019 [107] | NA | ● T1 FSE |
3 (no gap) |
NR |
Gmax Gmed |
✓ | NA | |
|
Jaegers et al., 1992 [43] Jaegers et al., 1995 [124] |
1.5 | ● SE |
5 (0.5) |
Iliac crest to the head of the fibula |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Kawasaki et al., 2017 [75] | 1.5 | ● T1 turbo spin echo |
6 (NR) |
NR |
TFL Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC Range [Size]: 0.750- 0.990 (TFL, Gmed, Gmin) k Range [Fat]: 0.740–0.930 (TFL, Gmed, Gmin) Inter-rater ICC [Size]: 0.990 (TFL), 0.930 (Gmed), 0.840 (Gmin) k Range [Fat]: 0.790 (TFL), 0.860 (Gmed), 0.720 (Gmin) |
| Kheterpal et al., 2020 [44] | 1.5 |
● FSE PD ● T2- FSE fat-supressed |
3–4 (NR) |
Pelvic region |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Kim et al., 2014 [74] | 3 |
● T2- FS SPAIR FSE ● T1- without FS |
5 (NR) |
NR | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Kivle et al., 2018 [67] | 1.5 |
● T1 SE ● STIR |
5 (NR) |
Pelvis |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC [size]: 0.970 (CI: 0.91–0.99) (Gmed), 0.930 (CI: 0.84–0.97) (Gmin) Inter-rater ICC [Size]: 0.980 (CI: 0.82–0.99)(Gmed), 0.950 (CI: 0.90–0.97)(Gmin) k [Fat]: mean score = 0.23 All participants re-evaluated, 8 weeks apart for intra-reliability “The interobserver reliability … were calculated on the basis of the first evaluation.” |
| Kiyoshige et al., 2015 [125] | 1.5 | ● T1 | NR | NR | ✓ | NA | ||
| Klemt et al., 2021 [120] | 1.5 | ● T1 TSE |
4 (NR) |
Pelvis |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater (3 observers) k(Quartile): 0.91, 0.89, 0.85 k(Goutallier): 0.88, 0.84, 0.81 k(Bal & Lowe): 0.83, 0.77, 0.75 Inter-rater ICC (Goutallier): range 0.84–0.91 ICC (Quartile): range 0.87–0.94 ICC (Bal and Lowe): range 0.79–0.88 |
|
| Koch et al., 2021 [26] | 3 | ● T1 VIBE‐DIXON |
1.1 (NR) |
Centred at the pelvis |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC (Size) = 0.99 (CI: 0.99–0.99) 10 participants, re-evaluated, more than 3 months apart |
| Kovalak et al., 2018 [95] | 1.5 | ● T1 TSE |
3.5 (1) |
NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Kubo et al., 2019 [126] | FLEXART MRT-50GP | ● T1 SE |
10 (no gap) |
The anterior superior iliac spine to distal tibia | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Loureiro et al., 2018 [76] | 3 | ● T1 2D gradient-recall acquisition in the steady state |
10 (1) |
Approx. 2 cm superior to the iliac crest to approx.. 2 cm inferior to the proximal tibio-fibula joint |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater (for all muscles) ICC > 0.985 All image slices for a single randomly selected participant, re-evaluated, 2 weeks apart |
|
| Makridis et al., 2014 [127] | NA | ● T1 |
4–5 (NR) |
NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ | NA |
| Malloy et al., 2019 [25] | 1.5 | ● T1 FSE |
4 (5) |
Iliac crest to the level of the knee joint |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Inter-rater ICC = 0.989 (CI: 0.985–0.992) “20 MRI measurements reviewed by 2 raters” |
|
| Marcon et al., 2016 [89] | 3 | ● 3-point mDIXON |
NR (no gap) |
Iliac crest to ischial tuberosity |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC (Size) = 0.900 (CI: 0.78–0.95) ‘… for the first ten measurements” |
| Mastenbrook et al., 2017 [128] | 1.5 | ● 3D FS gradient- echo |
0.82 (no gap) |
Pelvis (ASIS to acetabulum) |
TFL Gluteals (as a group) |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC(TFL) = 0.990 (CI: 0.99, 1.00) 20 participants re-evaluated, 2 weeks apart |
|
| Masuda et al., 2003 [78] | 1.5 | ● NR |
5 (15) |
ASIS to the head of the fibula |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Mendis et al., 2014 [77] | 1.5 | ● T2 FISP |
8 (8.8) |
Iliac crest to just below the lesser trochanter of the femur | TFL | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC Range: 0.940- 1.000 (CI: 0.78, 0.99) “Assessed in 10 randomly selected subjects” |
|
| Mendis et al., 2016 [64] | 1.5 | ● T2 FISP |
7 (10.5) |
Top of the iliac crest to the hip joint |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC Range: 0.970- 0.990 (CI: 0.81–0.99) “Assessed in 10 randomly selected subjects” |
|
| Mendis et al., 2020 [45] | 1.5 | ● T2 FISP |
8 (8.8) |
Iliac crest to below the lesser trochanter of the femur |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC Range: 0.950–0.990 (CI: 0.90, 0.99) “Assessed in 5 randomly selected subjects” |
|
| Miller et al., 2020 [50] | 3 | ● T1 |
5 (5) |
abdomen, thigh, and shank |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Miokovic et al., 2011 [62] | 1.5 | ● NR |
6 (0.6) |
From the iliac crest to the inferior-most portion of the gluteus maximus with a second sequence overlapping the gluteus maximus and extending to the knee joint line |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Montefiori et al., 2020 [55] | 1.5 | ● T1 |
3 (NR) |
NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Muller et al., 2010 [56] | 1.5 |
● T1 TSE ● TIRM |
6 (NR) |
NR | Gmin | ✓ | NA | |
| Muller et al., 2011a [58] | 1.5 |
● T1 TSE ● TIRM |
6 (NR) |
NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Inter-rater k Range: 0.51–0.89 |
|
| Muller et al., 2011b [57] | 1.5 | ● T1 | NR | NR | Gmed | ✓ |
Inter-rater k Range: 0.51–0.89 |
|
|
Niinimäki et al., 2016 [129] Niinimäki et al., 2019 [130] |
1.5 | ● T1 VIBE |
1 (no gap) |
From the most proximal aspect of the femoral head to the distal-most aspect of the greater trochanter | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Peiris et al., 2020 [46] | 3 | ● T1 2D FSE |
10 (NR) |
NR |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC [Size] Range: 0.780–1.000 ICC [Fat] = 0.990 Measured twice with one week apart |
| Pfirrmann et al., 2005 [69] | 1.5 |
● STIR ● T1 SE |
3–4 (NR) |
NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Reito et al., 2016 [131] | 1.5 |
● T1 FSE ● STIR |
6.5 (1.8) |
NR |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Rodrı´guez-Roiz et al., 2017 [70] | 1.5 | ● T1 |
5 (NR) |
NR | TFL | ✓ | NA | |
| Rothwell et al., 2019 [132] | 3 | ● T1 SE |
5 (no gap) |
NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater (for all muscles) ICC (within session): 0.970 ± 0.030 ICC (between sessions): 0.960 ± 0.030 ICC (> 6 months): 0.91 ± 0.09 Multiple occasions, both within- and between sessions, minimum 12 h apart and up to 6 months |
|
| Ruckenstuhl et al., 2020 [49] | NR | ● MARS | NR | NR | Gmed | ✓ | NA | |
| Rykov et al., 2021 [92] | 1.5 |
● T1 ● STIR |
NR | NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Sakamaki et al., 2011 [133] | 1.5 | ● T1 SE |
10 (no gap) |
From the first cervical vertebra to the ankle joint | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Semciw et al., 2016 [63] | 1.5 | ● T1 |
6 (no gap) |
From above the iliac crest to just below the distal aspect of the TFL |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Skorupska et al., 2016 [65] | 1.5 | ● T2 |
4 (no gap) |
From the lumbar spine down to pelvis and upper thigh |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Inter-rater ICC: > 0.900 for all muscles except (R) Gmed = 0.848 |
|
| Springer et al., 2012 [59] | 1.5 | ● T1 TSE |
6 (NR) |
NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Sugisaki et al., 2018 [106] | 1.5 | ● T1 echo |
7 (15) |
From the first lumbar vertebra (L1) to the lateral malleolus of the fibula |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC = 0.999 Repeated twice for 7 participants |
|
| Sutter et al., 2013 [85] | 1.5 |
● T1 ● STIR |
NR | NR |
TFL Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ | NA |
| Takada et al., 2018 [80] | 1.5 | ● T1 | NR | NR |
TFL Gmed |
✓ | ✓ |
Inter-rater ICC [Size & Fat] Range: 0.700–0.980 |
| Takada et al., 2021 [81] | 1.5 | ● T1 |
1.5 (NR) |
Lower pelvis & hips |
TF Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC [Size & Fat] Range: 0.750–0.980 Inter-rater ICC [Size & Fat] Range: 0.750–0.980 |
| Takahashi et al., 2019 [79] | 1.5 | ● T1 |
6 (4) |
Trunk and hip |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater (for all muscles) ICC > 0.987 |
|
| Tesch et al., 2005 [88] |
1 1.5 |
● NR |
10 (NR) |
NR | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Thaunat et al., 2018 [96] | NA | ● T1 non-FS | NR | NR |
Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| Tran et al., 2021 [121] | 3 | ● T1 2-point DIXON |
4 (NR) |
T11 vertebral level to the inferior-most portion of the Gmax |
Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Intra-rater ICC Range [Size]: 0.938– 0.994 (CI: 0.905–0.999) All participants, re-evaluated, at least 7 days apart |
| Unis et al., 2013 [87] | 1.5 | ● STIR | NR | Lower pelvis and both hips | TFL | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| Vasarhelyi et al., 2020 [48] | NR |
● T2 ● STIR |
NR | NR |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | NA | |
| von Roth et al., 2014 [60] | 1.5 | ● T1 TSE |
6 (NR) |
NR | Gmed | ✓ | NA | |
| Winkler et al., 2018 [61] | NA | ● T1 |
5 (NR) |
NR | Gmed | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
| Yang et al., 2021 [83] | ● T2 FS PD |
3.5 (NR) |
Hip |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ |
Intra-rater ICC (Gmax- pre-op): 0.985 (CI: 0.974–0.991) ICC (Gmax post-op): 0.934 (CI: 0.885–0.963) ICC (Gmin pre-op): 0.910 (CI: 0.862–0.953) ICC (Gmin post-op): 0.951 (CI: 0.915–0.972) Re-evaluated, 2 months apart |
||
| Yasuda et al., 2014 [84] | 1.5 | ● T1 SE |
10 (no gap) |
From the top edge of the great trochanter to the lateral condyle of femur | Gmax | ✓ | NA | |
| Yuksel et al., 2009 [134] | 1.5 |
● T1 ● T2 FSE |
NR | NR |
TFL Gmax |
✓ | NA | |
|
Zacharias et al., 2016 [22] Zacharias et al., 2018 [21] |
3 | ● T1 FSE |
6 (no gap) |
Iliac crest to distal insertion of TFL |
TFL Gmax Gmed Gmin |
✓ | ✓ |
Inter-rater ICC [Size] Range: 0.800–0.980 ICC [Fat] = 0.900 5 participants, 2 observers |
| Zhao et al. 2020 [47] | 3 | ● T2 | NR | NR | TFL | ✓ | ✓ | NA |
CI 95% Confidence Interval, FISP true Fast Imaging with Steady State Precession, FS Fat Supressed, FSE Fast Spin Echo, Gmax Gluteus maximus, Gmed Gluteus medius, GMin Gluteus Minimus, MARS Metal Artifact Reduction Sequence, MEDIC Multi-echo Data Image Combination, NA Not Assessed, NR Not Reported, PD Proton Density, Pre-op Pre-operative, Post-op Post-operative, SE Spin Echo, SPAIR Spectral Attenuated Inversion Recovery, STIR Short Tau Inversion Recovery, T1 T1 weighted, T2 T2 weighted, TFL Tensor Fascia Latae, TSE Turbo Spin Echo, TIRM Turbo-inversion Recovery Magnitude, VIBE gradient echo Volumetric Interpolated Breath-hold