Computed tomography Hounsfield unit values as a treatment response indicator for spinal metastatic lesions in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective study in Japan
- Author:
Hiroshi TANIWAKI
1
;
Sho DOHZONO
;
Ryuichi SASAOKA
;
Kiyohito TAKAMATSU
;
Masatoshi HOSHINO
;
Hiroaki NAKAMURA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Clinical Study
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):46-53
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Methods:This study included a total of 85 patients between 2016 and 2021. Nonsurgical treatments were provided by the respiratory medicine department. HU values for metastatic spinal lesions were evaluated upon diagnosis of spinal metastasis (baseline) and at 3, 6, and 12 months thereafter. Patients were then divided into two groups based on the median HU increase from baseline to 3 months. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Results:Based on the median change in HU value (124), 42 and 43 patients were categorized into the HU responder and non-responder groups, respectively. The median overall survival was significantly longer in the HU responder group than in the HU non-responder group (13.7 months vs. 6.4 months, p <0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the use of antiresorptive agents and molecularly targeted therapies were factors significantly associated with an increase in HU.
Conclusions:An increase in HU values for metastatic spinal lesions after 3 months of treatment was correlated with a significantly longer overall survival in patients with NSCLC. Thus, HU measurements may not only serve as an easy and quantitative approach for evaluating treatment response in metastatic spinal lesions but also predict overall survival.
