足部脈絡球腫瘤(Glomus tumor)之超音波診斷：一例報告

Glomus tumors, first described by Wood in 1812, are rare, benign hamartomas arising from neuromyoarterial glomus bodies, most commonly in the hand. Aching pain, exquisite tenderness and temperature sensitivity are the classic triad of symptoms of a glomus tumor. This triad is the key to diagnosis, but an atypical anatomic site and the usually small size of the tumor may make the diagnosis difficult. Patients with extremity pain caused by a glomus tumor frquently remain undiagnosed for many years. We reported a case of a 50 year-old woman with increasing right second toe pain over a period of ten years, in whom the diagnosis of glomus tumor was made using ultrasonography, thus enabling complete surgical excision and total relief of pain. In recent years, high-resolution ultrasonography was more frequently used to examine superficial soft-tissue masses. Use of ultrasonography discloses a reliable diagnosis of the cystic or solid nature of soft-tissue lesions, an accurate estimation of the volume, and precise three-dimensional localization of the abnormality. In addition, its cost-effectiveness and greater availability made it more popular. Assessment of anatomic relationships between the lesions to the surrounding structures by real-time ultrasonography also aids in the surgical approach. Therefore, it is a good tool not only in the diagnosis but providing a better basis for treatment. Here, we also discussed the symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment of glomus tumor. As what we try to emphasize, ultrasound examination is essential for the early diagnosis of soft tissue tumors and an early and accurate diagnosis will prevent unnecessary procedures.