The purpose of this study was to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) findings for solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) in the extremities in correlation with histopathological findings. Between 2006 and 2013, 6 consecutive patients with SFT in an extremity were studied with MRI (6 patients) and CT (4 patients). Diffusion-weighted images were also performed in 3 patients and dynamic contrast-enhanced CT in 2 patients. All 6 tumors were diagnosed after surgical excision, and the pre-surgical imaging findings were correlated with the histopathological findings. As a result, all 6 patients were female, and each had a clearly palpable, well-circumscribed, round or oval mass adjacent to fascia in an extremity, of less than 10 cm maximum diameter in 5 patients. On MRI, the tumors were iso-intense with muscle on T1-weighted image, and appeared heterogeneous and high-intensity on T2-weighted image. After injection of a contrast agent, the tumors demonstrated strong enhancement. A vascular pedicle was detected in 4 patients with tumors having a maximum diameter more than 5 cm. Diffusion-weighted images demonstrated high signal intensities, and apparent diffusion coefficient values were iso to high compared to muscle (from 1.41-2.10×10(-3) mm(2)/s). All the tumors were benign histopathologically and clinically. In 1 patient, the imaging appearance revealed underlying histopathological components, including fibrous-rich, cellular-rich, and myxoid change areas. In conclusion, a SFT in an extremity comprises a well-circumscribed mass adjacent to fascia having a fibrous-dominant area, strong contrast enhancement, and a vascular pedicle.
Keywords: computed tomography; diffusion-weighted image; extremity; magnetic resonance imaging; solitary fibrous tumor.