Quantification of total abdominal fat volumes using magnetic resonance imaging.
The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid and reliable method for the measurement of total abdominal fat volumes in diabetic patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Total volume coverage of the abdomen was obtained using T1-weighted images in 37 diabetic patients (age 48 +/- 13 y mean +/-SD). Quantification of intraabdominal (IAF), subcutaneous (SCF), and total abdominal fat volumes (TAF) was performed using a semiautomated computer assisted analysis. The variability of image analysis for fat measurements between two observers and within observers was assessed. Mean volumes (+/- SD) for IAF, SCF and TAF were 10.5 l (+/- 5.0 l), 15.1 l (+/-7.3 l) and 25.7 l (+/-11.5 l), respectively. Reliability of measurements was excellent for both observers (observer I: intraobserver reliability IAF, SCF and TAF: r = 0.999, r = 0.999 r = 1.0, observer II: r = 0.999, r = 0.999 and r = 1.0), as well as between both observers (interobserver reliability IAF, SCF, and TAF: r = 0.999, r = 0.999, r = 1.0). A single computer analysis required about 9 min in addition to 7 min scan time. The developed analysis method of MR images allows a rapid and reliable determination of total intraabdominal, subcutaneous and total fat volumes. This method has the potential to be very valuable in respective studies in patients with diabetes.
Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany. polll@uni-duesseldorf.de
Ludger Wilhelm
LW
Poll
H-J
HJ
Wittsack
J-A
JA
Koch
R
R
Willers
A
A
Scherer
C
C
Kapitza
L
L
Heinemann
U
U
Mödder
D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results