Sexual dimorphism and pro-atherogenic computed tomography radiomic phenotypes of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat
Authors' conclusion
CT radiomics identified texture heterogeneity as a key feature of male, visceral, and pro-atherogenic adipose tissue phenotypes, while further supporting the protective characteristics of SAF compared with VAF.
Study context
- Population
- Adults without known coronary artery disease undergoing non-contrast computed tomography (CT)
- Participants
- 1,736 adults
- Outcome
- CT radiomic profiles of SAF, VAF and TAF
Methodological detailsCT radiomics, machine learning (partial least squares discriminant analysis, XGBoost)
- CT radiomics
- Machine learning (partial least squares discriminant analysis, XGBoost)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- SAF and VAF exhibited distinct radiomic profiles; SAF had lower attenuation and greater high-density structural continuity
- Sexual dimorphism in both depots, more pronounced in SAF; males had greater textural heterogeneity and radiodensity than females
- Pro-atherogenic signatures showed increased textural heterogeneity in both depots
- Coronary calcification associated with higher radiodensity in SAF and lower radiodensity in VAF
- Total abdominal fat (TAF) radiomics significantly enhanced performance of TAF area to detect CCS > 0; accuracy comparable to models combining best SAF and VAF features
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Sexual dimorphism and pro-atherogenic computed tomography radiomic phenotypes of subcutaneous and visceral abdominal fat. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 20 August 2026. doi:10.
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