Characteristics and clinical values of SPECT/CT whole-body bone scanning in detecting bone metastases in patients with lung adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical values and characteristics of whole body bone imaging (SPECT/CT) in detecting bone metastases in the preoperative patients with lung adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma for staging and determining the best treatment plan. Methods Eighty-two preoperative patients with primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma performed 99Tcm-MDP SPECT/CT whole-body bone imaging. One week before surgery, parts of positive lesions performed MRI scan. The difference of the incidence of bone metastasis was analysed by χ2 test. Results In all 82 patients with lung cancer, there were 38 adenocarcinomas and 44 squamous cell carcinomas. Bone metastases were detected in 38 cases, the incidence rate was 46.3%. Of which, among lung adenocarcinoma, the incidence rate was 57.9% (22/38), and the incidence rate was 36.4% (16/44) in lung squamous cell carcinoma, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=12.66, P=0.027). The most common area was bilateral ribs, followed by vertebra, pelvis, bones of the extremities and skull. Conclusion Lung adenocarcinoma compared with squamous cell carcinoma is prone to bone metastases, and bone metastases are more common in bilateral ribs. It has important value that whole body bone imaging in screening for bone metastases of pre-operative patients with lung cancer for staging and making the treatment plan. Key words: Lung neoplasms; Neoplasm metastasis; Diagnostic imaging; Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography