Retrospective pilot study on the correlation between masseter muscle volume and myocardial function parameters.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether there is an association between masseter muscle volume and myocardial function parameters. METHODS: Data from 38 patients who underwent both multi-slice coronary CT angiography and contrast-enhanced neck CT angiography were analyzed. Myocardial function parameters were calculated using coronary CT angiography. Masseter muscle volumes were measured separately on the right and left sides from neck CT images, and the mean value for each patient was included in the analysis. Correlations were evaluated with Pearson’s test for normally distributed data and Spearman’s test for non-normally distributed data. Regression analyses were performed to assess whether significant correlations were independent of age and sex. RESULTS: Masseter muscle volume showed significant positive correlations with RV End-Diastolic Volume (r = 0.321, p = 0.049) and LV Myocardial Mass (r = 0.548, p < 0.001) in Pearson analysis. Spearman analysis revealed significant associations with RV End-Systolic Volume (ρ = 0.421, p = 0.008), LV Myocardial Volume (ρ = 0.588, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and sex, associations with LV Myocardial Mass (β = 2.530, p = 0.012) and LV Myocardial Volume (β = 2.189, p = 0.014) remained significant, whereas correlations with RV End-Diastolic and End-Systolic Volumes were no longer significant. CONCLUSION: The strong correlations observed between masseter muscle volume and both LV myocardial mass and volume suggest that masseter muscle volume may serve as a potential predictor of myocardial function parameters. These findings indicate a possible link between cardiac and masticatory muscles, warranting further detailed investigation.