Gray-Scale and Color Doppler Sonographic Appearances of Nonsubungual Soft-Tissue Glomus Tumors

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 5 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. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 39: 305-309, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu.20830