[Age-related radio-morphologic changes in the extremity muscles]

The authors examined the limb musculature of 133 individuals of various ages using a special soft tissue X-ray technique. In individuals under 45 years of age the broad striping indicative of group fibre necrosis in the musculature or of secondary interstitial lipomatosis was not observed at all. In older individuals, apart from a decrease in the volume of the calf musculature, diffuse striping was also characteristic, but not the rule. In certain cases fatty tissue proliferation was also observed in patches. Pathological changes in the musculature of the upper limbs due to old age were considerably rarer and less varied. The authors discuss the possible reasons and explanations for the pathological changes.