CT features of solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura: experience in 26 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the typical computed tomography (CT) features of solitary fibrous tumours of the pleura (SFTP) and determine which findings would allow confirmation of the pleural origin or benign behaviour of the tumour.


METHODS
Twenty-six preoperative CT studies of the chest (23 enhanced and 14 unenhanced) were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
Up to 50% of SFTP were larger than 10 cm. At unenhanced CT, they showed homogeneous attenuation in 5 cases (35.7%) and inhomogeneous attenuation in 9 (64.3%). At contrast-enhanced CT, they were inhomogeneous in 21 cases (91.3%), with geographic pattern (61.9% of cases), serpiginous linear areas of enhancement (intralesional vessels) (23.8%), rounded (52.4%) or linear (33.3%) areas of low attenuation (necrosis).


CONCLUSIONS
Depending on location, size and histological features, SFTP may produce a large spectrum of findings. Typical CT features of small SFTP were well-defined margins and smooth contours, homogeneous attenuation and right or obtuse angles with the pleura. Larger lesions were characterised by well-defined margins and lobulated contours, geographic pattern in enhanced CT scans, acute angles or smooth tapering margins with the pleura.
Cardinale
L
L
S.C.D.U. Radiologia, Ospedale San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano (TO), Italy.
Allasia
M
M
Ardissone
F
F
Borasio
P
P
Familiari
U
U
Lausi
P
P
Rubino
A
A
Solitro
F
F
Fava
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018218:Neoplasms, Fibrous Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed