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

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.