Abdominal adipose tissue measurement using magnetic resonance imaging in dogs

Abstract

Abstract

Obesity is a common nutritional disorder in dogs and has been recognized as a risk factor for variable diseases such as diabetes, pancreatitis, arthritis and cardiovascular disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard for the quantitative measuring of adipose tissue in humans. The aim of this study is to evaluate usefulness of MRI for the measurement of abdominaladipose tissue in dogs compared with CT and to establish an optimal method for evaluation of abdominal adipose tissue using MRI in dogs. MR scans with T1- weighted breath hold RSSG (radiofrequency spoiled-steady gradient rewound acquisition) and helical CT scans were performed from the diaphragm to the sacroiliac joint in 19 dogs. The MR images were analyzed by manual and semiautomatic methods for the measurement of abdominal adipose tissue. And abdominal adipose tissue was determined by using the attenuation range from -141 to -93 Hounsfield unit in the CT images. The mean total adipose tissue volumes of the entire abdomen measured by MRI and CT were no significant difference, which were strongly correlated (r = 0.958, p < 0.01). And there was good agreement between the total abdominal adipose tissue area determined by semiautomatic single-slice method at L2-3 level and the whole abdominal adipose tissue volume measured by manual multi-slice method using MRI (r = 0.963, p < 0.01). MRI acquisition technique and imaging analytic method for measuring abdominal adipose tissue used in this study enable to make a fast and reliable abdominal adipose tissue quantitative measurement. In conclusion, MRI could be a good alternative to CT for the measurement of abdominal adipose tissue in dogs.

______ Keywords: abdominal adipose tissue, measurement, magnetic resonance imaging, dogs