[Roentgenologic aspects of malignant fibrous histiocytomas of soft tissues and of bone (author's transl)].

The histiocyte, macrophage or tissue monocyte is a cell of the mononuclear system. The histiocytes have the abilities to phagocytose by utilizing hydrolytic enzymes they have synthesized, and which can synthesize specific proteins to enhance immune responses. The malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a relatively common neoplasm of the mesenchymal tissues derived from histiocytes capables of wide latitude in the expression of differentiation and pleomorphic appearance. This tumor arises as à primary tumor of soft tissue as well as of bone. Four of ten cases of malignant fibrous histiocytomas are documented. This report adds to the understanding of the entity of the tumor in that the diagnosis of malignance was made using roentgenologic criteria and confirmed by biopsy and by autopsy. The most commun locations were of the extremities and extensive local recurrence and metastases are the characteristics. The purpose of this study is to analyse the usefulness the roentgenologic methods in the diagnosis of the malignant histiocytoma: conventional radiography, radionuclide scanning, computed tomography, sonography, xeroradiography, angiography. The differential diagnosis is reported. An algorithmic roentgenologic approach for the evaluation of the malignant fibrous histiocytoma is proposed.