Radiologic myosteatosis predicts major complication risk following esophagectomy for cancer: a multicenter experience

Myosteatosis is a measure of skeletal muscle quality that is readily identifiable on computed tomography (CT). The effect of preoperative myosteatosis on outcomes after radical esophagectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to correlate the presence of myosteatosis on CT scan with perioperative morbidity, mortality, and survival outcomes after esophagectomy in an Australian population across 3 esophageal cancer centers.

A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients undergoing radical esophagectomy for cancer across 3 centers. Radiologic assessment of preoperative CT images was performed to determine the presence of myosteatosis. The outcomes measured included perioperative complication rate, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS).

A total of 462 patients were included in the analysis (male patients, 78.4%; median age, 67 years). Moreover, 353 patients (76.4%) had myosteatosis on CT. Compared to patients with normal skeletal muscle attenuation, patients with myosteatosis had a higher rate of major (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIb) complication (14.7% vs 24.9%, respectively; P = .026) and a higher rate of 30-day mortality (0.0% vs 4.0%, respectively; P = .048). Myosteatosis was associated with a major complication on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.906; 95% CI, 1.057-3.437; P = .032). There was no difference in OS and DFS between patients with and without myosteatosis (OS: 59 vs 56 months, respectively [P = .465]; DFS: 39 vs 42 months, respectively; P = .172).

The presence of myosteatosis on radiologic imaging was associated with an increased risk of major complications and 30-day mortality. Identifying myosteatosis can be an adjunct to preoperative nutritional assessment and prognostication, facilitating early recognition of patients at risk of complications.