Refining visceral adipose tissue quantification: Influence of sex, age, and BMI on single slice estimation in 3D MRI of the German National Cohort
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: High prevalence of visceral obesity and its associated complications underscore the importance of accurately quantifying visceral adipose tissue (VAT) depots. While whole-body MRI offers comprehensive insights into adipose tissue distribution, it is resource-intensive. Alternatively, evaluation of defined single slices provides an efficient approach for estimation of total VAT volume. This study investigates the influence of sex-, age-, and BMI on VAT distribution along the craniocaudal axis and total VAT volume obtained from single slice versus volumetric assessment in 3D MRI and aims to identify age-independent locations for accurate estimation of VAT volume from single slice assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This secondary analysis of the prospective population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) included 3D VIBE Dixon MRI from 11,191 participants (screened between May 2014 and December 2016). VAT and spine segmentations were automatically generated using fat-selective images. Standardized craniocaudal VAT profiles were generated. Axial percentage of total VAT was used for identification of reference locations for volume estimation of VAT from a single slice. RESULTS: Data from 11,036 participants (mean age, 52 ± 11 years, 5681 men) were analyzed. Craniocaudal VAT distribution differed qualitatively between men/women and with respect to age/BMI. Age-independent single slice VAT estimates demonstrated strong correlations with reference VAT volumes. Anatomical locations for accurate VAT estimation varied with sex/BMI. CONCLUSIONS: ), the L1 level emerges as the optimal reference location.
Authors: Tobias Haueise, Fritz Schick, Norbert Stefan, Elena Grune, Marc-Nicolas von Itter, Hans-Ulrich Kauczor, Johanna Nattenmüller, Tobias Norajitra, Tobias Nonnenmacher, Susanne Rospleszcz, Klaus H. Maier-Hein, Christopher L. Schlett, Jakob B. Weiss, Beate Fischer, Karl-Heinz Jöckel, Lilian Krist, Thoralf Niendorf, Annette Peters, Anja M. Sedlmeier, Stefan N. Willich, Fabian Bamberg, Jürgen Machann
Institutions: Helmholtz Munich, German Center for Diabetes Research, University of Tübingen, University of Freiburg, University Medical Center Freiburg, Institut für Medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie und Epidemiologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Heidelberg University, University Hospital Heidelberg, Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna, German Cancer Research Center, University of Regensburg, Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie, Essen University Hospital, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Max Delbrück Center, University Hospital Regensburg
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,086
Awards: Verbundprojekt: Initiierung des Aufbaus des Deutschen Zentrums für Diabetesforschung, Verbundpartner Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, G1650405572, NAKO Gesundheitsstudie - 3. Förderphase, G252956052, G292555279, G3315718513, G3987985702, G4619505372, Phänotypisierung/Signatur von Fettgewebekompartimenten: Eine Radiomics, clusterbasierte und geographische Analyse in der NAKO Gesundheitsstudie, G521713464, NAKO Gesundheitsstudie - 1. Förderphase, NAKO Gesundheitsstudie - 2. Förderphase, G852547542
OpenAlex ID: W4408741574