Multiple glomus tumors: a role for magnetic resonance imaging in patient evaluation?

Abstract

Glomus tumors may occur as solitary lesions, or rarely as multiple glomus tumors (MGT). Internal organ involvement in patients with MGT has been reported, but is rare. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been reported to be useful in evaluating patients with blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome for nongastrointestinal internal organ involvement. Three patients with MGT were evaluated by MRI for both cutaneous and internal involvement. MRI, which is useful in evaluating other vascular lesions, is not useful in the evaluation of patients with multiple glomus tumors. With these results, patients with MGT can be spared the expense of MRI procedure.