Key result
Inspiratory phase during abdominal CT linked to ~12% higher measured visceral fat area versus expiration.
Why the study?
The effects of different respiratory phases on radiation dose and abdominal fat area measurements in abdominal CT were not well characterized.
Does the respiratory phase (inspiration vs. expiration) affect radiation dose and abdominal fat area measurements in abdominal CT?
Observational (n=33)
No
Does the respiratory phase (inspiration vs. expiration) affect radiation dose and abdominal fat area measurements in abdominal CT?
Effect estimate: +11.6% increase (95% CI 0.4-22.7)
Absolute Event Rate: 114.5% vs 85.1%
p-value: p=0.042
Standardization of the respiratory phase is essential for accurate assessment of visceral fat area in abdominal CT, with inspiration reducing overall radiation dose due to shorter scan length.
Caution advised interpreting visceral fat area on abdominal CT by respiratory phase; leaves open standardized protocols for research and practice.
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of different respiratory phases on radiation dose and abdominal fat area measurements in abdominal computed tomography (CT). METHODS: ), dose-length product (DLP), maximum abdominal thickness, visceral fat area (VFA), and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were evaluated. Differences between inspiration and expiration were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between fat areas measured in the two phases. RESULTS: showed a slight but significant increase during inspiration (p<0.05). In contrast, DLP was significantly lower during inspiration (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed in SFA. Regression analysis showed that VFA increased during inspiration, whereas SFA did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: increased during inspiration, the overall radiation dose, as reflected by DLP, decreased due to the shorter scan length. Standardization of the respiratory phase is essential for accurate assessment of visceral fat area in abdominal CT.
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Urasaki et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Patients undergoing abdominal CT (n=33). Inspiratory respiratory phase vs. Expiratory respiratory phase was evaluated on Visceral fat area (VFA) (+11.6% increase, 95% CI 0.4-22.7, p=0.042). The inspiratory phase during abdominal CT resulted in a significant 11.6% increase in measured visceral fat area and a decreased dose-length product compared to the expiratory phase.
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