CT and MRI Findings of Solitary Fibrous Tumors

Objective To investigate CT and MRI findings of solitary fibrous tumors( SFT) in order to make a further understanding of the disease.Methods CT and MRI findings in 21 patients with SFT that was proved by pathology and immunohistochemistry were retrospectively analyzed.Plain CT scan was performed in 13 patients,among them additional enhanced CT scan was employed in 10.MRI was carried out in 7 patients,among them additional enhanced MRI was adopted in 4.Plain MRI and both plain and enhanced CT scan were used in one patient.Results The lesion was single in all 21 patients.The lesions were located in chest( n = 10),abdomen( n = 4),facial and neck region( n = 3),intra-cranium( n = 2),spinal canal( n = 1) and orbital cavity( n = 1).The maximum diameters of the tumors ranged from 1.5 cm to 30.0 cm with a mean of 9.9 cm.The small tumors were oval or round in shape;and the large tumors were lobulated or irregular in shape.On CT scans,the lesion showed iso-density same as the muscles;patch cystic degeneration and necrosis was seen in 8 patients;strip calcification was observed in one patient;and hemorrhage was found in 3 patients.On MRI,the solid tumors presented as iso-intensity on T1 WI,as iso-or slight hypo-intensity on T2 WI in 3 patients,as hyper-intensity on T2 WI in 4 patients,or as mixed intensity on T2 WI in one patient.Cystic degeneration within the tumor was observed in 11 patients.After contrast injection,the tumor showed inhomogeneous enhancement in 11 patients,among them map like enhancement pattern was seen in 7.Obvious enhanced tortuous vessels within or around the tumor were demonstrated in7 patients.Conclusion Solitary fibrous tumors have certain CT and MRI features,which are very helpful for further understanding of this disease and in correctly making preoperative diagnosis.