Whole-body T1 mapping improves the definition of adipose tissue: consequences for automated image analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a whole-body T1-mapping acquisition method improves the definition of adipose tissue (AT) and simplifies automated AT segmentation compared to an image-based method.


METHODS
The study included 10 subjects. Two whole-body volumes were acquired from each subject using two different flip angles. Whole-body T1 maps were calculated from each pair of whole-body volumes. AT was automatically segmented from the T1 maps and from the original image slices. The results were evaluated using manually segmented slices as reference.


RESULTS
The T1-mapping method segmented more of the reference AT than the image-based method, with mean values (standard deviations (SDs)) of 87.7(5.1)% and 81.1(5.2)%, respectively. Compared to the image-based method, the T1-mapping method gives better histogram separation of AT in whole-body volumes. The suggested method also provides an output with smaller in-slice AT intensity variations.


CONCLUSIONS
The T1-mapping method improves the definition of AT. T1-based analysis is superior to analysis based on the original images, and allows fully automated and accurate whole-body AT segmentation.
Kullberg
Joel
J
Department of Radiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. joel.kullberg@radiol.uu.se
Angelhed
Jan-Erik
JE
Lönn
Lars
L
Brandberg
John
J
Ahlström
Håkan
H
Frimmel
Hans
H
Johansson
Lars
L
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001331:Automation; D001823:Body Composition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged