QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF LIVER FAT FRACTION USING MRI-PDFF AND CT-ATTENUATION: A CORRELATION STUDY WITH VISCERAL ADIPOSITY IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORKFORCE OF WEST BENGAL
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Keywords
MRI-PDFF, CT-Attenuation, Visceral Adiposity Index, Industrial Health, West Bengal, Steatosis.
Abstract
Background: In the industrial corridors of West Bengal, the "thin-fat" South Asian phenotype presents a high risk for metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), often despite a normal Body Mass Index (BMI). While ultrasonography is a common screening tool, it lacks the precision required for quantifying early-stage fat infiltration. This study evaluates the efficacy of MRI-Proton Density Fat Fraction (MRI-PDFF) and CT-Attenuation as high-precision quantitative markers for liver fat, correlating these findings with visceral adiposity in an industrial cohort.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Durgapur involving 120 industrial workers (aged 30–55 years). Participants underwent NCCT (Non-Contrast Computed Tomography) to measure hepatic attenuation in Hounsfield Units (HU) and MRI-PDFF using a multi-echo gradient-recalled echo sequence to map the fat fraction percentage. Visceral Adiposity was calculated using the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), integrating waist circumference, triglycerides, and HDL levels.
Results: The mean MRI-PDFF in the cohort was 14.2% ± 6.8%. A strong inverse correlation was observed between MRI-PDFF and CT-attenuation (r = -0.84, p < 0.001). Furthermore, VAI demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the MRI-quantified fat fraction (r = 0.76, p < 0.001). Interestingly, 32% of participants with a BMI < 23\,kg/m^2 exhibited an MRI-PDFF > 10\%, indicating significant "hidden" steatosis. CT-attenuation showed a sensitivity of 82% in detecting steatosis compared to the MRI-PDFF gold standard.
Conclusion: MRI-PDFF provides superior quantitative precision in detecting early metabolic dysfunction in industrial workers compared to traditional imaging. The strong correlation between VAI and liver fat fraction suggests that visceral fat accumulation is the primary driver of hepatic steatosis in this population. For high-risk industrial screening in West Bengal, MRI-PDFF should be considered the definitive non-invasive biomarker for monitoring disease progression and intervention efficacy.
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Dr. Sumithra Bongu
Associate Professor, Department Of Radio-Diagnosis, Gouri Devi Institute Of Medical Sciences And Hospital, Durgapur
