Variable Solitary Fibrous Tumor Locations: CT and MR Imaging Features.

The aim of the study is to describe the radiological imaging features of different solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) locations and present histopathological correlations. From 2007 to 2013, 20 cases of histologically confirmed that SFTs were retrospectively analyzed with computed tomography (CT; 9/20), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 5/20), or both CT and MRI (6/20). All 20 SFTs were well defined, lobular, soft-tissue masses, and 60% were located outside of the pleura. One pleural case invaded to the 10th thoracic vertebra and had lung metastases. Images revealed 11 heterogeneous lesions that exceeded 3.0 ± 0.203 cm along the greatest axis with patchy necrotic foci, and 9 homogeneous lesions <3.0 ± 0.203. Microscopically, all SFTs were proliferative spindle cells with varying degrees of fibrosis and interspersed vessel branching. Cells were strongly immunopositive for CD34. Here we review variable imaging findings of SFTs, which can be within the pleura as well as within other serosal tissues such as the meninges and postperitoneum. SFTs > 3.0 ± 0.203 cm along the greatest axis appeared to be mixed patterns, whereas SFTs < 3.0 ± 0.203 cm had isodense appearances. SFTs cells were CD34 immunopositive and surgery was a first-line treatment choice.

Clinical applications of susceptibility-weighted imaging in detecting and grading intracranial gliomas: a review.

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a technique that exploits the susceptibility difference between tissues to provide contrast for different regions of the brain. In essence, it uses the deoxygenated hemoglobin of veins, hemosiderin of hemorrhage, etc. as intrinsic contrast agents, allowing for much better visualization of blood and microvessels even without administration of an external contrast agent. It is a fast-evolving field that is being constantly improved and increasingly implemented with updates in relevant technology. Multiple studies have been done on the role of SWI in the management of various neurologic disorders and it is also being seen as a further step in the neuroradiologist's goal of being able to noninvasively grade tumors in order to influence therapy. This article briefly reviews the evolution of SWI since its conception and provides the reader with a comprehensive summary of various studies that have been done on its application for detecting and grading intraaxial brain tumors, specifically gliomas. Other useful magnetic resonance techniques that have shown promise in grading gliomas are also discussed.