Subungual glomus tumors: evaluation with MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of subungual glomus tumors.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with a clinical suspicion of glomus tumor and 10 control subjects underwent MR imaging at 1.5 T. MR images of normal glomus bodies of a cadaver finger were correlated with histologic slices. With a local surface gradient coil, the pixel size reached 117 microns in one direction. Relaxation times were measured. Gadoterate meglumine was injected in 19 patients.


RESULTS
Normal glomus bodies were visualized in the reticular dermis of the nail bed. Twenty-seven of 28 pathologically confirmed glomus tumors were detected with MR imaging. A peripheral capsule was present in most tumors. The nail matrix was compressed in 13 cases. The authors were able to differentiate three subtypes of glomus tumors (vascular, solid, and myxoid) on the basis of relaxation times and enhancement characteristics. Four patients had mucoid cysts or angioma in the nail bed.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging can help accurately define the location and limits of glomus tumors before excision.
Drapé
J L
JL
Department of Radiology, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France.
Idy-Peretti
I
I
Goettmann
S
S
Wolfram-Gabel
R
R
Dion
E
E
Grossin
M
M
Benacerraf
R
R
Guérin-Surville
H
H
Bittoun
J
J
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D005918:Glomus Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013933:Thumb; D014034:Toes
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; C072417:gadoterate meglumine