Mohammad Tahir, Tahmeedullah, Asif Shah, Sameera Ajmal.
Glomus tumor-a diagnostic dilemma.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;46(1):20-1.

Aims: To see the diagnostic utility of Xrays, MRI and C.T. scan in the diagnosis of glomus tumor. Type, place and duration of study: Descriptive study done from 1998 to 2005 at the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Patients and Methods: All cases diagnosed clinically as glomus tumor of the frigers were included in the study. The major presenting features were pain in12 patients and bluish discoloration of nail in 4 patients. On examination local tenderness was present in 9 patients and ice cube test was positive in 7 patients. Confirmation was done by histology in all cases. All patients were subjected to radiological examination while specialized tests like MRI was performed in 10 patients and CT scan in 2 patients. Results: Twelve patients were included in the study. Positive findings on MRI and X-rays were observed in only, three patients and in one patient on CT scan. X-Ray findings were negative in 9 out of 12 patients ( 75%) while MRI finding were negative in 7 out of 10 patients ( 70%) and CT scan was done in 2 and was negative in 1patient (50%). Conclusion: Keeping the high cost of MRI and poor results in small size tumors it is recommended to depend on clinical findings and histology to establish the diagnosis rather than CT and MRI.

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