Recurrent glomus tumors of fingertips: MR imaging evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in recurrent glomus tumors of the fingertips.


METHODS
Twenty-four consecutive patients with recurrent pain after previous excision of a glomus tumor of the fingertip underwent MR imaging studies and surgery. T1-weighted spin-echo MR images were obtained in each patient before and after intravenous injection of contrast material; T2-weighted spin-echo and three-dimensional gradient-recalled echo images were also obtained. MR angiography was performed in four patients. Postsurgical histopathologic analysis revealed recurrent glomus tumors in 22 patients. Signal intensity, enhancement, and margins of the scar tissue and the recurrent tumors at MR were assessed.


RESULTS
The postsurgical scars were depicted in 21 (88%) of 24 patients with all sequences but were best demonstrated on gradient-recalled echo MR images. Seven patients had undergone multiple surgical procedures and had extensive scar tissue and, in one case, a neuroma. In all patients, MR imaging revealed a nodule compatible with the diagnosis of a recurrent glomus tumor. In 13 (54%) of 24 patients, the nodule had typical features of a glomus tumor. In eight (33%) of 24 patients, the tumors had low signal intensity or isointensity compared with the nail bed on T2-weighted images. In six (25%) of 24 patients, the tumors had faint enhancement after intravenous gadolinium chelate administration. The margins of the tumors were blurred by scar tissue in nine of 24 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging can aid in the evaluation of recurrent glomus tumors.
Theumann
Nicolas H
NH
Department of Radiology B, CHU Cochin, AP-HP-Université Paris V, 27 rue du fg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.
Goettmann
Sophie
S
Le Viet
Dominique
D
Resnick
Donald
D
Chung
Christine B
CB
Bittoun
Jacques
J
Chevrot
Alain
A
Drapé
Jean-Luc
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000473:pathology*; D005918:Glomus Tumor / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology*