title: An automated algorithm to identify and quantify brown adipose tissue in human 18F-FDG-PET/CT scans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an algorithm to identify and quantify BAT from PET/CT scans without radiologist interpretation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases (n = 17) were randomly selected from PET/CT scans with documented "brown fat" by the reviewing radiologist. Controls (n = 18) had no documented "brown fat" and were matched with cases for age (49.7 [31.0-63.0] vs. 52.4 [24.0-70.0] yrs), outdoor temperature at scan date (51.8 [38.9-77.0] vs. 54.9 [35.2-74.6] °F), sex (F/M: 15/2 cases; 16/2 controls) and BMI (28.2 [20.0-45.7] vs. 26.8 [21.4-37.1] kg/m(2) ]). PET/CT scans and algorithm-generated images were read by the same radiologist blinded to scan identity. Regions examined included neck, mediastinum, supraclavicular fossae, axilla and paraspinal soft tissues. BAT was scored 0 for no BAT; 1 for faint uptake possibly compatible with BAT or unknown; and 2 for BAT positive.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Agreement between the algorithm and PET/CT scan readings was 85.7% across all regions. The algorithm had a low false negative (1.6%) and higher false positive rate (12.7%). The false positive rate was greater in mediastinum, axilla and neck regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The algorithm's low false negative rate combined with further refinement will yield a useful tool for efficient BAT identification in a rapidly growing field particularly as it applies to obesity.
authors: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Nutrition, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors: Megan R
authors: MR
authors: Ruth
authors: Tyler
authors: T
authors: Wellman
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Mercier
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Szabo
authors: Caroline M
authors: CM
authors: Apovian
mesh_terms: D002001:Adipose Tissue, Brown / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18