Quantitative MRI analysis of renal and renal sinus fat in diabetes patients

Abstract Introduction : This study compared renal parenchyma volume and the renal sinus (hilus) fat volume between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic controls using MRI. Aim : Additionally, we evaluate the association between renal sinus fat volume and metabolic clinical indicators. Materials and methods : A prospective study was conducted involving 120 participants (healthy controls and patients with T2DM). Abdominal MRI was performed using a 1.5-Tesla scanner (Magnetom Essenza, Siemens Healthcare) following standard protocols. Kidney assessment included localizer sequences and 3D axial T1 VIBE Dixon imaging. Semi-automatic segmentation with thresholding was used to quantify renal parenchymal volume and renal sinus fat volume. Results : Renal sinus fat volume (18.0±6.0 cm³ vs. 15.0±3.8 cm³, p =0.001) and renal parenchymal volume (153.3±26.0 cm³ vs. 139.8±17.1 cm³, p =0.001) were significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in healthy individuals. Conclusion : T2DM is associated with increased renal sinus fat volume and renal parenchymal volume compared with non-diabetic controls. Renal sinus fat volume may serve as a useful indicator of metabolic risk.