Retrospective analysis of temporalis muscle thickness as a biomarker of functional level in adults with cerebral palsy

This retrospective cohort study investigated the association between temporalis muscle thickness (TMT) and functional level in adults with cerebral palsy. TMT is a non-invasive radiographic measure that can be measured from brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and used as a surrogate marker for sarcopenia to reflect whole body skeletal muscle mass. Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are at increased risk of functional decline and sarcopenia. TMT has emerged as a potential biomarker of global muscle mass and nutritional status; however, its clinical relevance to functional mobility in adults with CP remains unclear. This study sought to investigate the association between TMT and ambulatory function in adults with CP. This retrospective cross-sectional study included adults with CP who underwent brain MRI. TMT was measured bilaterally and averaged. Ambulatory function and past medical histories were extracted from medical records. A total of 140 adults with CP were included. In multivariable analysis, greater TMT was independently associated with higher odds of ambulatory function (adjusted OR 1.31, p=0.037). Tube feeding was significantly associated with lower odds of being ambulatory (adjusted OR 0.13, p=0.016). TMT measured on routine brain MRI was independently associated with ambulatory function in adults with CP. TMT may provide complementary information to established clinical classifications.