Gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic appearances of nonsubungual soft-tissue glomus tumors

J Clin Ultrasound. 2011 Jul;39(6):305-9. doi: 10.1002/jcu.20830. Epub 2011 Apr 21.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the sonographic findings of soft-tissue nonsubungual glomus tumors.

Methods: The sonographic appearances of nine histologically proven soft-tissue glomus tumors of nonsubungual location in nine patients (mean age, 49 years; M:F = 7:2) were reviewed retrospectively. Doppler examination and surgical excision were performed in all cases.

Results: The mean size of the lesions was 1 cm. The margins of the lesions were relatively well-circumscribed in eight of nine patients (89%) with an ovoid shape in seven of nine patients (78%). The vascularity was moderate to rich in all cases, with an arterial flow pattern but no arteriovenous shunt patterns. The "vascular stalk sign" was noted in six cases (67%).

Conclusions: Nonsubungual glomus tumors are rare soft-tissue tumors with abundant vascularity and arterial flow pattern.

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Glomus Tumor / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color*