Primary glomangioma of the liver: imaging findings

Glomus organs are small arteriovenous anastomoses that are chiefly responsible for thermoregulation of the distal portion of the extremities. Glomangiomas are benign tumors of these bodies. Glomangiomas occur preferentially in the fingers and toes, but some case reports have described primary glomangiomas in the respiratory or gastrointestinal tract and the genitals. To date, no glomangiomas of the liver have been observed. We report on a 61-year-old patient in whom routine ultrasound disclosed a subcapsular well-defined mass in the liver. On imaging studies, no correspondence to the usual liver tumors was found. Magnetic resonance-guided biopsy showed a primary glomangioma of the liver. Clinically, the patient had no appetite and lost weight over several months. Due to the patient's weight loss and potential malignant transformation, the tumor was excised. Histologic work-up confirmed the diagnosis of a glomangioma with no signs of malignancy.