Glomus Tumors of the Fingers: A Report of 66 Cases

Han,  Kyong Chon; Roh,  Hyong Rae; Lee,  Han Dong; Lee,  Yu Sang

doi:2012.21.1.50

Arch Hand Microsurg > Volume 21(1); 2012 > Article

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2012;21(1):50-55.
Published online May 31, 2012.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12790/jkssh.2012.21.1.50

Glomus Tumors of the Fingers: A Report of 66 Cases

Han Kyong Chon, M.D.*, Hyong Rae Roh, M.D., Han-Dong Lee, M.D., Yu Sang Lee, M.D.

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. osdrlee@gmail.com
²Department of Family Medicine, Hankook General Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.

수지의 사구체 종양 - 66예 증례 분석 -

, , ,

¹
²

Abstract

Purpose: We reviewed 66 cases of the glomus tumors in the hands. The purpose of this study was to review the characteristic signs and symptoms of glomus tumors and the surgical outcomes. We made hypothesis that (1) our guideline for surgical excision are reliable and (2) our surgical technique is efficient and less harmful to the nail root.
Materials and Methods: The clinical diagnosis was made with occasional radiological studies and surgical excision was performed according to our indications. Patients with electrical shock-like pain by touching (the essential symptom) and at least 2 of 4 clinical signs and symptoms (cold hypersensitivity, paroxysmal pain that radiated proximally, blue discoloration, nail deformity for dorsal tumor or a palpable nodule for pulp tumor) underwent surgical excision.
Results: The duration of symptoms of the patients was about 5.3 years. No difference of prevalence was found in both hands, but the thumb and the middle finger were more affected than the other fingers. The mean follow up period was 2.4 years and none of the patients complained the same characteristic pain at the last visit.
Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this report is the largest case series about glomus tumors in the finger tip. The clinical signs and symptoms are important to make a diagnosis of glomus tumors, and surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

Key Words: Glomus tumor, Finger, Subungual approach