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Evaluation of the effect of visceral fat area on the distance and angle between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effect of visceral fat area on the distance and angle between the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the aorta.

Methods

On axial and sagittal images from abdomen CT scan, the distance and the angle between the SMA and the aorta were measured at the location where the third part of the duodenum crosses. The visceral fat area was calculated at the level of the umbilicus on the abdominal CT section. Body mass index was calculated.

Results

For both genders, the correlation between the distance and visceral fat area was substantial (p < 0.001). For males, there was no statistically significant relationship between the angle and the visceral fat area. For females, the correlation between the angle and the visceral fat area was low but significant and positive (r = 0.25, p < 0.048). In addition, it was found that males have a greater proportion of visceral fat than females. In both females and males, the subcutaneous fat area correlated with BMI (r = 0.65, r = 0.69, respectively, p < 0.001), more strongly than the visceral fat area did (r = 0.51, r = 0.63, respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The distance between the aorta and the SMA significantly correlates with visceral fat area than with BMI. The size of visceral fat area of females and males vary; therefore, the amount of visceral fat area should be considered in the establishing diagnosis of SMA syndrome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Hospital, Kizilay sok. No: 4 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

    Nilgun Isiksalan Ozbulbul, Mehmet Yurdakul, Hakan Dedeoglu, Muharrem Tola & Tulay Olcer

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  1. Nilgun Isiksalan Ozbulbul
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  2. Mehmet Yurdakul
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  3. Hakan Dedeoglu
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  4. Muharrem Tola
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  5. Tulay Olcer
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Correspondence to Nilgun Isiksalan Ozbulbul.

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Ozbulbul, N.I., Yurdakul, M., Dedeoglu, H. et al. Evaluation of the effect of visceral fat area on the distance and angle between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. Surg Radiol Anat 31, 545–549 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-009-0482-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-009-0482-2

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