Benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail: a novel application of sonography.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the scope of high-resolution sonography in the detection of benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail unit.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study of the sonographic findings in 103 consecutive patients with benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail that were medically derived and confirmed histologically. Statistical analysis (Student t test) was performed comparing clinical and sonographic diagnoses.


RESULTS
Common benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail can be detected on sonography, and they present different sonographic morphologic characteristics. According to origin, the lesions were considered ungual in 73% (n = 75) and periungual in 27% (n = 28) of the cases. Sonography showed their nature (solid or cystic), location, and extension as well as regional blood flow. In 35% of the cases, the use of sonography modified the clinical diagnosis, although the detailed anatomic information provided by sonography was useful in the planning of surgery in all cases. The addition of sonography was significant (P < .001) for the diagnosis of subungual exostosis and granulomas in comparison to clinical diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonography is a noninvasive imaging method that can reliably detect common benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail and provide precise data about their characteristics. This imaging modality can support diagnosis and surgery and can allow a better definition and improvement of the cosmetic outcome of the treatment.
Wortsman
Ximena
X
Department of Radiology, Clinica Servet, Santiago, Chile. xwo@tie.cl
Wortsman
Jacobo
J
Soto
Rosamary
R
Saavedra
Tirza
T
Honeyman
Juan
J
Sazunic
Ivo
I
Corredoira
Yamile
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009262:Nails / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult