Abstract

Aim: This study aims to underscore the significance of employing multiple parameters from non-contrast abdominal CT scans for the assessment of hepatosteatosis in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Methods: Non-enhanced Computed Tomography of the diabetic subjects were analyzed. Control subjects were selected from non-diabetic patients who had undergone abdominal tomography within the same period. The craniocaudal length of the liver and liver, spleen, pancreas densities, and epicardial adipose tissue were measured. Additionally, patient demographics and laboratory values were retrospectively obtained.

Results: The craniocaudal length of the liver was significantly greater in the diabetes mellitus group compared to the control group (168.3 ± 17.2 mm vs 152.3 ± 14.8 mm, p < 0.001). Hepatosteatosis was observed in 22 individuals with diabetes mellitus, whereas only one participant in the control group had this condition (p < 0.001). The diabetes mellitus group exhibited significantly lower median liver density (p < 0.001), liver-spleen density ratio (p = 0.004), pancreatic head density (p = 0.001), and pancreatic body density (p = 0.013). Additionally, the average thickness of epicardial adipose tissue was markedly higher in the diabetes mellitus group compared to the control group (8.1 ± 1.9 mm vs 4.9 ± 1.1 mm, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: These data indicate an association between hepatosteatosis and increased epicardial adipose tissue thickness, liver and pancreatic densities in individuals with diabetes mellitus. These findings suggest that non-contrast abdominal CT findings such as epicardial adipose tissue thickness and relevant laboratory tests may aid in evaluating metabolic disorders and fat accumulation in diabetic patients.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hepatosteatosis, liver/spleen ratio, adipose tissue, liver/diagnostic imaging, pericardium/diagnostic imaging, risk factors, spleen/diagnostic imaging

Copyright and license

Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open-access article published by Bolu İzzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite

1.
Coşgun Z, Kalfaoğlu ME. Comparative evaluation of hepatosteatosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using non-contrast abdominal CT and laboratory findings. Northwestern Med J. 2024;4(4):188-94. https://doi.org/10.54307/2024.NWMJ.95

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