Modification and validation of a commercially available portable detector for measurement of adipose tissue blood flow

Abstract

Summary. Adipose tissue blood flow is measured from the clearance of radioactive xenon from a depot. Traditionally, a Nal detector has been used to measure the residual depot of xenon. However, this is sensitive to movement artefacts. We tested a commercially available lightweight Csl detector which can be strapped to the anterior abdominal wall. In pilot studies the Csl detector produced higher values for adipose tissue blood flow than did a conventional Nal detector. It was modified by inclusion of spacers to distance it from the skin. Flow results generated by the modified detector were similar to those generated by the Nal detector, both after an overnight fast and during the increased blood flow after a meal. Individual decay patterns generated by the Csl detector were, however, significantly smoother than those from the Nal detector.