SUBUNGUAL GLOMUS TUMORS - EVALUATION WITH MR-IMAGING

PURPOSE: To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of subungual glomus tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients wi th a clinical suspicion of glomus tumor and 10 control subjects underw ent MR imaging at 1.5 T. MR images of normal glomus bodies of a cadave r finger were correlated with histologic slices. With a local surface gradient coil, the pixel size reached 117 mu m in one direction. Relax ation times were measured. Gadoterate meglumine was injected in 19 pat ients. RESULTS: Normal glomus bodies were visualized in the reticular dermis of the nail bed. Twenty-seven of 28 pathologically confirmed gl omus tumors were detected with MR imaging. A peripheral capsule was pr esent in most tumors. The nail matrix was compressed in 13 cases. The authors were able to differentiate three subtypes of glomus tumors (va scular, solid, and myxoid) on the basis of relaxation times and enhanc ement characteristics. Four patients had mucoid cysts or angioma in th e nail bed. CONCLUSION: MR imaging can help accurately define the loca tion and limits of glomus tumors before excision.