Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: MR appearance and enhancement pattern

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to characterize the MR appearance of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP). Method: Twenty-two consecutive patients with histologically confirmed SFTP were retrospectively evaluated with MRI. Results: Tumors demonstrated low signal intensity (n = 18, 82%), iso signal intensity (n = 2, 9%), and high signal intensity (n = 2, 9%) on TI-weighted images. On T2-weighted images, tumors were observed as low signal intensity (n = 10, 45%), high signal intensity (n = 2, 9%), and mixed signal intensity (n = 10, 45%). Solid component in the proliferation of tumor cells corresponded to low signal intensity in 12 tumors (55%) on T2-weighted images. On gadolinium-enhanced TI-weighted images, inhomogeneous enhancement (n = 18, 82%), nodular enhancement (n = 6, 27%), and homogeneous enhancement (n = 4, 18%) were observed. The enhanced lesion within the tumors had dense tumor tissue and dilated microvessels in the pathologic specimen. Conclusion: SFTP shows variable appearance and enhancement pattern on MRI according to morphologic tumor heterogeneity.