Development of a rapid and efficient magnetic resonance imaging technique for analysis of body fat distribution

Fast scan magnetic resonance imaging techniques for adipose tissue (AT) quantification were compared to a conventional T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequence (TR = 500 ms, TE = 20 ms), imaging a mid-abdominal slice. A rapid T1-weighted SE sequence (TR = 36 ms, TE = 14 ms) was optimal, with minimal distortion (field, motion, flow artefact). Tissue contrast was higher and visceral AT was clearly differentiated. Quantification of all AT compartments (total, subcutaneous, internal, visceral) showed close agreement with the T1-weighted SE sequence and reproducibility was high (coefficient of variation < 4.7%). For AT quantification in a whole subject, this fast technique allows each image to be acquired serially at the magnet isocenter, as the subject is moved through the scanner (serial isocenter scanning, SIS). This method provides minimal image distortion and allows rapid coverage of the whole body.