Malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: computed tomography-pathological correlation and comparison with computed tomography of benign solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the computed tomography (CT)-pathological correlation of malignant solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (MSFP) and to compare these findings with CT findings of benign solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura (BSFTP).


METHODS
We retrospectively identified the clinical, CT, and pathological findings in seven cases of MSFP. There was a CT-pathological correlation for the MSFPs. Additionally, 12 cases of BSFTP from case files were compared with the clinical and CT features of the MSFPs.


RESULTS
On CT, the MSFP appeared as a heterogeneously enhancing mass >10 cm (100%). Pleural metastasis (57.1%) and lung metastasis (14.3%) were associated. In the CT-pathological correlation, the enhancing area was mixed cellular and collagenous tissue with hypercellularity, mitosis, and pleomorphism. Hemorrhage, necrosis, cystic, or myxoid degeneration produced areas of intratumoral low attenuation. MSFPs showed a higher incidence of intratumoral low-attenuation areas (P = 0.034) and pleural metastasis (P = 0.009); and on CT, MSFPs tended to be larger than BSFTPs (P = 0.076).


CONCLUSIONS
MSFPs showed a >10 cm pleural mass with low-attenuation regions on CT, which corresponded to hemorrhage, necrosis, cystic, or myxoid degeneration. MSFPs had a higher incidence of intratumoral low-attenuation areas and pleural metastasis, and on CT they tended to be larger than BSFTPs.
Department of Radiology, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Gyeonggi, Korea.
Sun Wha
SW
Song
Jung Im
JI
Jung
Kyo Young
KY
Lee
Mi-Young
MY
Kim
Seog Hee
SH
Park
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D054363:Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media