Development of a rapid and efficient magnetic resonance imaging technique for analysis of body fat distribution

Fast scan magnetic resonance imaging techniques for adipose tissue (AT) quantification were compared to a conventional T₁-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequence (TR=500 ms, TE=20 ms), imaging a mid-abdominal slice. A rapid T₁- weighted SE sequence (TR=36 ms, TE=14 ms) was optimal, with minimal distortion (field, motion, flow artefact). Tissue contrast was higher and visceral AT was clearly differentiated. Quantification of all AT compartments (total, subcutaneous, internal, visceral) showed close agreement with the T₁-weighted SE sequence and reproducibility was high (coefficient of variation <4.7%). For AT quantification in a whole subject, this fast technique allows each image to fie acquired serially at the magnet isocentre, as the subject is moved through the scanner (serial isocentre scanning, SIS). This method provides minimal image distortion and allows rapid coverage of the whole body.