[Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of soft tissue. Possibilities and limitations of computed tomography].

Computed tomography was performed in 27 patients with confirmed malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the soft tissue. Compared with the CT results obtained in other tumours of the soft tissues. CT accuracy in malignant fibrous histiocytoma was only 74%. Non-typical attenuation values, diffuse tumour growth and non-typical contrast enhancement are discussed as reasons for the diagnostic understaging or overstaging of these soft tissue tumours. A higher accuracy was found on ultrasound examination with regard to tumour extension. Bone destruction was better visualised by CT. A base-line CT is recommended postoperatively for the earlier detection of recurrent tumours in further investigations.