J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1999 Oct;34(5):963-967.

The Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Interdigital Neuroma and Result of Surgical Excision

• Lee KT
• Kim HC
• Choi YS
• Kim DH

Abstract

PURPOSE: TThe purpose of this retrospective study was to demonstrate the characteristic findings of ultrasonogram and the functional result in the surgical excision of the interdigital neuroma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty feet of thirty-five patients with clinical sign and symptoms of interdigital neuromas were examined by ultrasound with a 7.5MHz transducer, In 23 of these patients, surgical excision and pathological analysis of their interdigital masses were subsequently performed.
RESULTS
Interdigital neuromas were seen sonographically as well-defined, ovoid, hypoechoic masses located just proximal to the metatarsal heads in the intermetatarsal space. The diameter of neuroma on average was 5.6 mm in the 2nd interspace, 5.4 mm in the 3rd and 4 mm in the 1st. Postoperatively, the satisfactory result was exellent in five (22%), good in twelve (52%), fair in four (17%) and poor in two (9%).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that ultrasonographic examination is an accurate diagnostic technique, and surgical excision is most effective method of treatment in the view of pain management than other therapeutic modalities in patients with clinically suspected interdigital neuroma.

Keyword

Ultrasonography; Surgical excision

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis*
Foot
Head
Humans
Metatarsal Bones
Neuroma*
Pain Management
Retrospective Studies
Transducers
Ultrasonography