Background: When it comes to quantifying muscle mass in cirrhotic patients, Computed Tomography (CT) is the gold standard; nevertheless, CT is not practical for muscle measurement due to its high cost, radiation exposure, and logistical issues. Ultrasound detection of quadriceps muscle thickness has been recently presented as a more convenient bedside method to assess sarcopenia. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the role of ultrasound in assessment of biceps and quadriceps muscles thickness and echogenicity index as diagnostic parameters in liver cirrhosis patients and to study the relationship between sarcopenia and testosterone levels in these patients.
Patients and methods: A total of 50 cirrhotic patients were enrolled in this study from June 2021 to June 2022 at the Internal Medicine Department of Benha University Hospital. Our study included patients having diagnostic evidence of advanced liver cirrhosis (clinical, laboratory, and/or ultrasonographic) and aged >18 years.
Results: Testosterone in men was found to have a favorable and statistically significant relationship with handgrip (r = 0.667, P