Intrathoracic Fat Measurements Using Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT): Feasibility and Reproducibility

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging Analysis

Background:

• Epicardial fat volume is an emerging imaging biomarker for adverse cardiovascular events.
• Accurate measurement of intrathoracic fat volume is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the feasibility and reproducibility of measuring intrathoracic fat volume.
• To apply these measurements to contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 62 subjects without cardiovascular disease.
• Defined intrathoracic fat volume using specific Hounsfield Unit ranges on MDCT scans.
• Separated fat into epicardial and extrapericardial components by tracing the pericardium.
• Assessed interrater reproducibility with two independent readers.

Main Results:

• Intrathoracic fat volume averaged 141 ± 72 cm³.
• Epicardial fat volume averaged 58 ± 27 cm³; extrapericardial fat volume averaged 84 ± 50 cm³.
• High correlation coefficients (0.88 for intrathoracic fat) indicated excellent interrater agreement, demonstrating reproducibility.

Conclusions:

• Voxel-based measurement of intrathoracic fat volume is feasible using MDCT.
• The separation into epicardial and extrapericardial fat is highly reproducible.
• This method provides a reliable tool for assessing cardiovascular risk via fat volume quantification.