title: Human immunodeficiency virus atropy induces modification of subcutaneous adipose tissue architecture: in vivo visualization by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection generally induces lipodystrophy. For targeted treatment a better understanding of its development is necessary. The utility of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is explored.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study presents a way to visualize the adipose tissue architecture in vivo and to inspect modifications associated with the atrophy.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-resolution MRI scans with surface coils were performed on the calf and at the lumbar region of three groups of patients: HIV patients with lipoatrophy, HIV patients without lipoatrophy and healthy volunteers. All patients underwent a clinical examination. In addition, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurements were taken. On the MRI scans adipose tissue thickness and adipose nodule size were measured. Results High-resolution MRI enabled identification of a clear disorganization of adipose tissue in patients with lipoatrophy. In addition, these patients presented a very small adipose tissue thickness on the calf and a very small nodule size.
  
  
  RESULTS
  led to the hypothesis that adipose tissue disorganization appears before changes in DEXA measurements or clinically visible modifications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-resolution MRI enabled visualization in vivo of precise changes in tissue organization due to HIV lipoatrophy. This imaging technique should be very informative for better monitoring of the atrophy.
authors.affiliation: Paul Fabre Research Institute, CNRS FR 2599, Paul Sabatier University, and Unit of Dermatology, La Grave Hospital, 2 rue Viguerie, Toulouse 31000, France. gwendal.josse@pierre-fabre.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Josse
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gensanne
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aquilina
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saint-Martory
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lagarde
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schmitt
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology; D015497:HIV-1; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology