The sonographic "coffee bean" sign helps distinguish an axillary neurofibroma from a lymphadenopathy

Abstract

Axillary masses may represent various soft tissue tumors or lymphadenopathy. Neurofibromas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors and, while they are very uncommon, it is important to remember that neurogenic tumors arising from brachial plexus can develop in the axilla. We describe an axillary neurofibroma arising from the brachial plexus that presented with a "coffee bean sign" on sonography that distinguished it from axillary lymphadenopathy.

Keywords: axilla; brachial plexus; neoplasms; neurofibroma; peripheral nerves; ultrasonography.