title: Quantification of epicardial adipose tissue in coronary calcium score and CT coronary angiography image data sets: comparison of attenuation values, thickness and volumes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to compare epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) characteristics assessed with coronary calcium score (CS) and CT coronary angiography (CTCA) image data sets.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 76 patients (mean age 59 ± 13 years) who underwent CS and CTCA owing to suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), EAT was quantified in terms of density (Hounsfield units), thickness and volume. The EAT volume was extracted with a semi-automatic software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A moderate correlation was found between EAT density in CS and CTCA image data sets (-100 ± 19 HU vs -70 ± 24 HU; p < 0.05, r = 0.55). The distribution of EAT was not symmetrical with a maximal thickness at the right atrioventricular groove (14.2 ± 5.3 mm in CS, 15.7 ± 5 mm in CTCA; p > 0.05, r = 0.76). The EAT volume resulted as 122 ± 50 cm(3) in CS and 86 ± 40 cm(3) in CTCA (Δ = 30%, p < 0.05, r = 0.92). After adjustment for post-contrast EAT attenuation difference (Δ = 30 HU), the volume was 101 ± 47 cm(3) (Δ = 17%, p < 0.05, r = 0.92). Based on EAT volume median values, no differences were found between groups with smaller and larger volumes in terms of Agatston score and CAD severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CS and CTCA image data sets may be equally employed for EAT assessment; however, an underestimation of volume is found with the latter acquisition even after post-contrast attenuation adjustment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EAT may be measured by processing either the CS or CTCA image data sets.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Ludovico
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Grutta
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toia
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farruggia
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grassedonio
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmeri
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiology, Montreal Heart Institute/Universitè de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maffei
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galia
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vitabile
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Radiology, Montreal Heart Institute/Universitè de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.|3 Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Center University, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cademartiri
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, DIBIMED, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midiri
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D050154:Adiposity; D000465:Algorithms; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010496:Pericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*