Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spine: Computed tomography appearance and review of the literature

Abstract

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone was first described as a separate entity in 1972. It is an uncommon tumor occurring in older age groups and only rarely occurs in the spine. The plain film radiographic features of this condition have been described, however, we have found no reports of the computed tomography appearance. We present a case of spinal malignant fibrous histiocytoma that occurred in a 17-year-old female. The computed tomography characteristics of this lesion are described, and use of computed tomography in the evaluation of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spine is defined.