[Clinical studies of the quantitative changes in mineral salt content of irradiated vertebral body metastases with 2-energy computerized tomography].

Results are represented a clinical experimental series of examinations in 19 patients having osteolytic and osteoplastic metastases in the region of the vertebral column. An attempt was made to quantify the changes in mineral salt content after high-voltage therapy, via two-energy computed tomography. The vertebral bodies with osteolytic affection showed directly after completion of the irradiation an individually highly differentiated increase in mineral salt content. This was due both to recalcification of the osteolysis and an increase in mineral salt content of the still intact spongiosa. Likewise, an increase in mineral salt content was seen in patients with osteoplastic metastases, in the tumour-free bony substance. The methodical approach is described and the different reactive behaviour of the vertebral body metastases in response to radiotherapy is discussed.