To investigate the clinical characteristics, pathologic manifestation and treatment effect of solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) in central nervous system (CNS) in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of SFT.

From May 2010 to August 2015, the clinical data of 27 patients with solitary fibrous tumors in central nervous system operated and confirmed by pathology at the Department of Neurosurgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology were analyzed retrospectively.

In 27 patients with SFT treated with microsurgery, 21 received total tumor resection, 5 had subtotal resection, and 1 performed biopsy. Twenty-three patients were diagnosed as benign and 4 were diagnosed as malignant with pathological diagnosis. Immunohistochemical examination showed that 21 (78%) were CD34 diffuse positive, 6 (22%) were focal positive, and 21 (78%) were Vimentin positive. All patients were followed up for 38 months. The prognosis of patients with total tumor resection was better; the patients of subtotal resection had in situ recurrence.

The clinical manifestation and imaging examination of SFT in central nervous system are easy to be misdiagnosed. The diagnosis requires pathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Surgical resection is the exact and effective treatment. The prognosis of patients with total resection is good.

Central nervous system neoplasms; Solitary fibrous tumors; Pathology; Treatment outcome