Sonographic Measurement of Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Regional adipose tissue deposits, especially intraabdominal adipose tissue, are associated with health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Current anthropometric techniques can measure subcutaneous adipose tissue with calipers, but cannot measure intraabdominal adipose tissue. Scanning techniques, such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which have been used to measure intraabdominal adipose tissue, are expensive, and some involve exposure to radiation. This study investigated the use of B-mode ultrasound for measuring adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue could be measured reliably with B-mode ultrasound but intraabdominal adipose tissue could not. © 1993, J.B. Lippincott Company. All rights reserved.