CT-based analysis of ESM mass
CT-based radiological measurements were an essential part of this study. As in a previous study, the cross-sectional areas of bilateral ESM were performed on a single axial chest CT image at the level of the lower margin of the 12th thoracic vertebrae 2-5. In this study, we used the ESM index as per the formula = ESM area/body mass index (BMI), which was analyzed for the quantification of ESM areas, according to the patient’s physics. Furthermore, Hounsfield units (HU) of the ESM were determined to assess the density of the ESM.