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.