Background/aim: Mesenteric panniculitis (MP) is an idiopathic benign disease characterized by fat necrosis, chronic inflammation,and fibrosis. The relationship between obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation has been reported. This study investigated therelationship of MP diagnosed using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneousadipose tissue (SAT) areas.Materials and methods: We retrospectively enrolled 104 patients with no radiological findings other than MP. Additionally, 76individuals without any indicative radiological findings were included as controls. VAT and SAT were separately calculated (cm2) usinga 3-dimensional workstation. The abdominal circumference was measured (cm).Results: The mean abdominal circumference was 99.9 ± 7.9 cm, SAT was 195.3 ± 89.1 cm2, and VAT was 203.9 ± 72.8 cm2 in the MPgroup. The abdominal circumference, VAT, and SAT were significantly higher in the MP group than in the control group (P < 0.001).According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, cut-off level VAT and SAT were 167.5 cm2 (sensitivity 71%, specificity69%) and 117.5 cm2 (sensitivity 78%, specificity 51 %), respectively.Conclusion: Increased VAT and SAT were associated with MP, suggesting their role in the etiology of MP.