title: Benign tumors and pseudotumors of the nail: a novel application of sonography.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Clinica Servet, Santiago, Chile. xwo@tie.cl
authors.forename: Ximena
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wortsman
authors.forename: Jacobo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wortsman
authors.forename: Rosamary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.forename: Tirza
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Honeyman
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sazunic
authors.forename: Yamile
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Corredoira
mesh_terms: 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