Assessment of the relationship between intraabdominal fat thickness and the aortomesenteric angle and distance using computed tomography

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of visceral fat thickness on the distance and angle between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta in the normal population. Method: The aortomesenteric distance and retroperitoneal fat thickness (RFT) were measured on an axial plane, and the aortomesenteric angle and mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) were measured on a sagittal plane using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). The relationships between MFT, RFT and aortomesenteric angle and distance were evaluated. Results: There was a weak/moderate, significant and positive correlation between aortomesenteric angle and MFT and RFT (r = 0,396, p<0.001 and r = 0,494, p<0.001, respectively). There was also a moderate, significant and positive correlation between aortomesenteric distance and RFT and MFT (r = 0,607, p<0.001 and r = 0,633, p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The aortomesenteric distance and angle correlate with the retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat thickness. According to the results, retroperitoneal and mesenteric fat thickness may be used as an CT marker to help diagnose suspected SMAS in addition to the measurements of the aortomesenteric distance and angle.