Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41933254›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology2026

MRI-based measurement of masseter muscle area: reliability and clinical relevance in acute neck infections.

Akseli Elo, Jari-Pekka Vierula, Jaakko Heikkinen, Janne Nurminen, Tatu Happonen, Mikko Nyman, Jarno Velhonoja, Heikki Irjala, Tero Soukka, Kimmo Mattila and 3 more

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Article in European radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Akseli EloDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Jari-Pekka VierulaDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Jaakko HeikkinenDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Janne NurminenDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Tatu HapponenDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Mikko NymanDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Jarno VelhonojaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Heikki IrjalaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Tero SoukkaDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Kimmo MattilaDepartment of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Otso ArponenMedical Imaging Center, Department of Radiology, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
Aapo Sirén *Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Jussi Hirvonen *Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. jussi.hirvonen@utu.fi.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0368-3746

Funding

Sigrid Juséliuksen Säätiö 250056
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe role of low muscle mass in acute neck infections is underexplored. This study aimed to validate the reliability of MRI-based masseter muscle area (MMA) measurements, derive normative age-related data in a diverse patient cohort, and evaluate the association between MMA measurements and infection severity and clinical outcomes in patients with acute neck infections. MATERIALS AND

methodsIn this retrospective single-center study, 526 patients with clinically confirmed acute neck infections who underwent emergency neck MRI had bilateral MMA measured on T2-weighted Dixon images at the mandibular foramen level. MMA was normalized to height squared (MMA/h

resultsThe interobserver agreement for MMA was excellent (ICC = 0.991). MMA/h

conclusionOpportunistic MRI-based MMA measurements are highly reliable and associated with age, LOS, and abscess presence and size in acute neck infections. Our findings suggest a link between low masseter muscle mass and disease severity in patients with acute neck infections. KEY POINTS: Question Low muscle mass associates with adverse outcomes in various diseases, yet its prognostic role in acute neck infections remains underexplored. Findings MRI-based masseter muscle area measurements showed excellent reliability, declined with age, and predicted larger abscess diameter and longer hospital stay in adult patients. Clinical relevance Opportunistic MRI measurement of masseter muscle area is reliable and clinically associated with abscess size and length of hospital stay in patients with acute neck infections, providing clinically relevant information and supporting early risk stratification.

Indexed as

AbscessMagnetic Resonance ImagingMasseter MuscleNeckAcute DiseaseAdultAgedClinical RelevanceFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedObserver VariationReproducibility of ResultsRetrospective StudiesInfectionsMagnetic resonance imagingMasseter muscleNeckSarcopenia

Identifiers

PMID41933254
PMCPMC13341821

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