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CT evaluation of normal interatrial fat thickness
L S Broderick1, D J Conces, R D Tarver
1Department of Radiology, Indiana University Medical Center, University Hospital, Indianapolis 46202-5253, USA.
Purpose:
This study was performed to determine the normal thickness of fat in the interatrial septum as demonstrated by CT.
Method:
Eighty-seven subjects underwent helical chest CT examination as part of a separate protocol to compare the quantification of coronary artery calcification by CT to coronary angiographic findings, using a slice width of 3 mm, reconstructed every 1.5 mm. The thickness of the interatrial fat in both groups was measured anterior and posterior to the fossa ovalis. The mean and standard deviation were calculated.
Results:
The mean thickness of interatrial fat anterior and posterior to the fossa ovalis was 4.6 (SD = 2.5) and 3.7 (SD = 3.1) mm, respectively.
Conclusion:
The normal range of thickness of the interatrial fat is 0-9.6 mm anterior to and 0-9.9 mm posterior to the fossa (2 SD above the mean).