CT Imaging of Solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura (SFTP):Typical Patterns and Pitfalls

Solitary fibrous tumour of the pleura (SFTP) is a mesenchymal tumour that tends to involve the pleura, although it has also been described in other thoracic areas (mediastinum, pericardium and lung) and in extrathoracic sites (meninges, epiglottis, salivary glands, thyroid, kidneys and breast) (1,2). SFTP usually presents as a peripheral mass abutting the pleural surface, to which it is attached by a broad base or, more frequently, by a pedicle that allows it to be mobile within the pleural cavity (2-4). Unlike mesothelioma, SFTP is not asbestos-related and is usually a benign, rarely aggressive, tumour, although a small percentage of patients may develop locoregional recurrence (2,5,6). The aetiopathogenesis of SFTP remains uncertain and controversial.