removal of stand from 21.5" mid 2011 imac

I am seeing conflicting info on the net about whether I can remove the stand from a 21.5" iMac- mid 2011 version. The videos I have seen is for a 27" cinema monitor. Some posts indicate that it cannot be done for the 21.5" iMac-- except by taking the monitor apart--- something I do not want to do. Could someone please tell me if they have been successful in removing the stand -- without taking the box apart?

I need to mount the monitor for a standing desk -- and don't want to buy the desk if I cannot get this stand off.

Thanks!