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Analytic morphomics: a novel CT imaging approach to quantify adipose tissue and muscle composition in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 51, pages 446–450 (2016)Cite this article

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Analytic morphomics is a novel methodology that uses high-throughput computed tomography (CT) processing techniques to generate reproducible body measurements (Supplementary Table).1, 2, 3, 4 Body mass index is widely used in clinical and public health studies to predict mortality risk.5 Indeed, we recently examined its impact in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and found that obese patients were at significantly greater risk of mortality compared with normal weight individuals.6 Unfortunately, body mass index does not reliably distinguish adipose tissue mass from muscle mass.7 Therefore, we sought to index patient size using CT measurements.2 The aim of the current study was to apply analytic morphomics in a cohort of allogeneic HCT patients and correlate with clinical outcomes.

Through retrospective cross-referencing of HCT and radiological databases between 1 January 2004 and 31 July 2014, we identified 256 patients who had complete demographic data and archived CT scans within 6 months of allogeneic HCT. The scans were retrieved, de-identified and processed. Only one scan, closest to the HCT date, was used per patient. All CT scans were performed at the University of Michigan and were not performed specifically for the purpose of this study, which was approved by the Institutional Review Board.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the patients, their families and the clinical personnel who participated in this study. This research was conducted by using data and resources from the University of Michigan Morphomic Analysis Group. It was supported in part by a Hyundai Hope On Wheels grant. SWC is an A. Alfred Taubman Institute/Edith Briskin/SKS Foundation Emerging Scholar and she is also supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (1K23AI091623).

Author contributions

KC (University of Michigan Medical Student, MD candidate) collected and analyzed data and drafted and approved the manuscript; YS (University of Michigan Medical Student, MD candidate) collected and analyzed data and edited and approved the manuscript; PZ (Morphomic Analysis Group) designed the study, analyzed data and drafted and approved the manuscript; BD (Morphomic Analysis Group) analyzed data and approved the manuscript; EG analyzed data and edited and approved the manuscript; JF, LH and CI (Morphomic Analysis Group) processed data and approved the manuscript; SG, JM, AP, MR, PR and GY cared for patients and approved the manuscript; SCW designed the study, oversaw the Morphomic Analysis Group and approved the manuscript; SWC designed the study, cared for patients, collected and analyzed data and drafted and approved the manuscript.

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Author notes

  1. K Chughtai, Y Song, S C Wang and S W Choi: These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    K Chughtai & Y Song

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    K Chughtai, Y Song, E Gatza, G Yanik & S W Choi

  3. Morphomic Analysis Group, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    P Zhang, B Derstine, J Friedman, L Hully, C Inglis & S C Wang

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    S Goldstein, J Magenau, A Pawarode, P Reddy & M Riwes

  5. Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    S Goldstein, J Magenau, A Pawarode, P Reddy, M Riwes, G Yanik & S W Choi

  6. Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    S C Wang

Authors
  1. K Chughtai
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  2. Y Song
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  8. C Inglis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S W Choi.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies this paper on Bone Marrow Transplantation website

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Chughtai, K., Song, Y., Zhang, P. et al. Analytic morphomics: a novel CT imaging approach to quantify adipose tissue and muscle composition in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 51, 446–450 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2015.267

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