Malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: computed tomography-pathological correlation and comparison with computed tomography of benign solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>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).<bold>Materials and Methods: </bold>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.<bold>Results: </bold>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).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]