Imaging features of solitary fibrous tumors in the head and neck / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the imaging features of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT)in the head and neck.Methods The CT and MR findings of 10 patients with SFT in the head and neck confirmed by hsitopathology were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent CT (including contrast-enhanced dual-phase CT),and MR imaging was obtained in 2 patients.Results All 10 lesions were found as solitary masses ranging in maximum diameter from 20 to 1 1 5 mm (average 35.5 mm),with the location in the orbit (2 cases),nasal cavity and nasal sinuses (4 cases),parotid gland (1 case),supraclavicular region (1 case),subcutaneous tissue of the maxillofacial (1 case)and occipital region (1 case).The lesions showed elliptic shape in 7 cases and lobulated configuration in 3 cases.The majority (8/10 )of lesions demonstrated well-defined margin.The lesions on CT imaging were isodensity or low density, homogeneous density in 4 cases and inhomogeneous density in 6 cases,cystic changes in 2 cases,calcification in 1 case.9 lesions showed strongly homogeneous (n=3)or inhomogeneous (n=6)enhancement,1 lesion showed mildly homogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT imaging.On dual-phase enhanced CT,8 patients exhibited a rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern,1 patient exhibited a rapidly enhancing and rapid washout pattern,and 1 patient exhibited delayed enhancement.The lesions showed homogeneous isointense relative to gray matter on T1 WI in 1 patient,mixed isointense and hypointense in 1 patient.On T2 WI,the lesion showed isointense signal in 1 patient,and heterogeneous mixed isointense and hyperintense signal in another.2 lesions demonstrated markedly homogeneous and inhomogeneous enhancement respectively.Conclusion Solitary fibrous tumors shall be considered in cases of inhomogeneous hypervascular tumors in the head and neck.Compared with the gray matter,isointense or mildly hyperintense signal on T2 WI, marked enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT,and a rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern on dual-phase enhanced CT may be valuable imaging features of SFT.