Intracranial Solitary Fibrous Tumor Mimicking Meningioma

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a clinically rare tumor derived from mesenchymal spindle cells. Central nervous system SFT represents only 0.09% of tumors occurring on the meninges, while intracranial solitary fibrous tumors (ISFT) are even more rare. Due to the similar genetic characteristics it shares with hemangiopericytoma, in 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as a single disease called solitary fibrous tumor (SFT)/hemangiopericytoma. We reported a case of a 60-year-old female with an intracranial solitary fibrous tumor (ISFT). The patient’s magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass adhering extensively to the dura mater, with adjacent thickening of the meninges and evidence of a meningeal tail sign. These radiologic findings suggested a meningioma. The tumor was surgically removed and sent for pathologic examination, which confirmed that the tumor was consistent with a solitary fibrous tumor(WHO III). Due to its rarity and similarities with meningioma, ISFT is often misdiagnosed as other types of brain tumors. ISFT is poorly understood and poses a diagnostic challenge. Our case report presents several features suggestive of meningioma, but histopathological examination after surgery confirmed the diagnosis of SFT. Knowledge of these tumors is crucial for neurosurgeons to include them in preoperative differential diagnosis.