Measuring visceral adipose tissue content from contrast enhanced computed tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT) content can be measured retrospectively from routine contrast enhanced computed tomographic (CT) studies in order to avoid extra radiation exposure and to enable epidemiological quantifications of VAT in various diseases.


METHODS
Seven patients were examined by CT and the VAT contents (from -150 HU to -50 HU) were quantified both from their corresponding unenhanced and enhanced images (n = 8-18 per patient).


RESULTS
The measured VAT volume in enhanced images was smaller (p = 0.016) than in the corresponding unenhanced images, which is most likely due to the adverse accentuation of partial volume effects. By using our bolus technique, VAT (cm2) in an unenhanced image = 1.11 x VAT in an enhanced image + 2.95, p = 0.0001. Alternatively, rising properly the upper limit for VAT density in an enhanced image compensates the use of i.v. contrast media.


CONCLUSIONS
VAT content may be retrospectively quantified from routine abdominal CT images, but the unfavorable effects of i.v. contrast administration on measurements must be taken into account.
Vehmas
T
T
Department of Radiology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Kairemo
K J
KJ
Taavitsainen
M J
MJ
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014781:Viscera
D008055:Lipids