Determination of Whole Body Fat and Visceral Adipose Tissue, Combining Three Volume Estimation Methods

Tania Buehler¹, Daniel GQ Chong¹, Chris Boesch¹

Whole body fat (WBF) and particularly visceral adipose tissue (VAT) are of paramount importance as cardiovascular risk factors related to the metabolic syndrome. At 3 Tesla MR systems an inherent inhomogeneity of the radiofrequency field in the abdominal region jeopardizes the estimation of VAT and WBF and make it necessary to find a more robust and accurate method to measure these volumes. This study suggests and tests a method that combines the strengths of three volume determination methods (threshold, planimetry, and point counting), which makes the determination of the fragmented VAT compartment feasible and quick.