Measurement of the Surface Area of the Renal Sinus Fat Using MDCT: Correlation with Presence and Severity of Essential Hypertension and Body Mass Index

Objectives: Essential hypertension remains a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Excess visceral adipose tissue is associated with the presence of adverse metabolic risk factors. Our study aims to measure the surface area of the renal sinus fat using MDCT and correlate the renal sinus surface area with the presence and grading of essential hypertension as well as body mass index. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included two groups; the patients' group including 40 cases presented with a history of primary essential hypertension and the control group including 40 cases. The average of the surface area of the two kidneys as well as the average of the surface area of sinus fat was measured in the control and patient subgroups and was correlated with the presence and grading of essential hypertension as well as body mass index. Results: There was a significant correlation between the presence and grading of essential hypertension with prominent renal sinus fat. There was a significant correlation between the average surface area of kidneys and surface area of sinus fat in overweight and obese groups than in the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Obesity is now recognized as a risk factor for the development of renal dysfunction. There was a significant correlation between the surface area of renal sinus fat measured using MDCT and the presence as well as grading of essential hypertension, suggesting that renal sinus fat may promote cardiovascular events.