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The Effect of Age on Fat Distribution in the Neck Using Volumetric Computed Tomography
Susan Orra1, Kashyap Tadisina1, Ali Charafeddine1
1From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital; the Lerner College of Medicine and the Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic; the Department of Plastic Surgery, Saint Louis University; and the University of Montreal, CHU Sainte Justine.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|October 1, 2020
Summary
Neck fat volume decreases with age, particularly in the supraplatysmal region. Elderly women show increased fat in the upper and middle neck thirds, unlike younger women with even fat distribution.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Gerontology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Neck fat distribution is crucial for aging appearance.
- Age-related changes in neck fat distribution are not well understood.
- Volumetric computed tomography (CT) can characterize neck fat in live patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze age-related changes in neck fat volume and distribution.
- To compare fat distribution in young versus elderly women.
- To investigate the role of neck fat in the aging process.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of head and neck CT angiographs.
- Inclusion of 20 young (20-35 years) and 20 elderly (65-89 years) women.
- Quantification of supraplatysmal and subplatysmal fat volume and distribution by thirds.
Main Results:
- Total supraplatysmal fat volume was greater than subplatysmal fat in all patients.
- Young patients had significantly more supraplatysmal fat than elderly patients (p < 0.0001).
- Elderly women showed greater middle-third supraplatysmal fat volume compared to upper and lower thirds (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Total supraplatysmal neck fat volume decreases with age.
- Age-related fat redistribution occurs in the supraplatysmal neck compartment.
- Altered neck fat distribution may contribute to the obtuse cervicomandibular angle in the elderly.
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