Bioelectric Impedance Analysis Can Inform Decisions On Contrast Material Before Abdominopelvic CT

Leesburg, VA, June 25, 2018—Using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) to calculate a patient’s body fact percentage may help guide the decision to use oral contrast material in patients presenting for abdominopelvic CT, according to an ahead-of-print article scheduled to be published in the August 2018 issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR).

The study authors, led by Patrick McLaughlin, of Vancouver General Hospital, reviewed cases of 101 patients who presented to a level 1 trauma center’s emergency department in 2016. The body mass index (BMI) BMI and body fat percentage were determined for each patient, with body fat percentages calculated through bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) device.

Nearly all (97%) of the patients with high BMI (BMI ≥ 25) had sufficient amounts of intraabdominal and intrapelvic fat to allow delineation of anatomic structures without the use of oral contrast material. Of the patients with low BMI (BMI ≤ 21), 83% had inadequate amounts of fat to separate intraabdominal and intrapelvic structures.

For patients with intermediate BMIs (21 < BMI < 25), BIA-determined body fat percentage of 30% or more can be used to predict whether a patient will have sufficient intraabdominal and intrapelvic fat to obviate oral contrast material for CT.

The results show that using BMI with the addition of BIA-determined body fat percentage in appropriate cases provides a rapid and refined approach for estimating the amount of intraabdominal and intrapelvic fat in patients presenting to the emergency department with nontraumatic abdominal pain. Using these criteria may help optimize use of oral contrast material, which would improve workflow and reduce wait times in the ED.

Founded in 1900, ARRS is the first and oldest radiology society in the United States, and is an international forum for progress in radiology. The Society's mission is to improve health through a community committed to advancing knowledge and skills in radiology. ARRS achieves its mission through an annual scientific and educational meeting, publication of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) and InPractice magazine, topical symposia and webinars, and print and online educational materials. ARRS is located in Leesburg, VA.