Deciphering the enigma of glomus tumors: A case series

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Case Series

Author Details : Jaydeep Nilkanthrao Pol, Rashmi Gaurav Sawant, Vivek Jawahar Dugad, Anand Ashok Bhosale*, Ajay Laxman Sabnis, Vaishali Jaydeep Pol, Pallavi Sachin Chaudhari, Sudhir Manohar Bakare, Praneet Pradeep Awake, Rajan Shamrao Bindu

Volume : 10, Issue : 4, Year : 2024

Article Page : 493-501

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijced.2024.085

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Abstract

Introduction: Glomus tumors are rare contributing to less than two percent of all soft tissue tumors. Given the rarity of this tumor, there is a possibility of low suspicion and a missed clinical diagnosis. This case series suggests diagnostic and morphological clues for early diagnosis of this tumor.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study includes nine interesting cases of glomus tumors from January 2015 to January 2024. Data was tabulated and analysed by descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel 2016.
, In this series the glomus tumors showed a mean age of (37.67± 17.5 years). Male to female ratio was 1.25:1. Most common sites were digital parts of extremities (5/9, 55.56%). Four of these digital locations were subungual (4/5, 80%). The left side (5/9, 55.56%) was the most common laterality. Duration of symptoms till diagnosis was established showed a median of three months [range was one month to nine years]. All nine cases presented with pain. The mean size of glomus lesions was 2.1±1.5 cm). Multiplicity was observed in (2/9, 22.22%) cases. Eight cases were benign (8/9, 88.89%) while one was malignant (1/9, 11.11%). Two out of these eight benign cases were glomangiomatosis. Excision biopsy was the surgical procedure performed in all of our benign cases while the malignant case was treated with amputation of the finger.
Conclusion: Diagnosis of glomus tumors requires a high index of clinical suspicion, especially in extra-digital locations. Awareness is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of this lesion, as it is an extremely painful condition and pain is out of proportion to the size of the lesion. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the first investigation of choice for imaging. An early biopsy can confirm the diagnosis of a glomus tumor in time. Complete surgical excision is curative with a low risk of recurrence.
 

Keywords: Glomus tumors, soft tissue tumors, Glomangioma, Glomangiomyoma, Glomangiomatosis, Malignant glomus tumors

How to cite : Pol J N, Sawant R G, Dugad V J, Bhosale A A, Sabnis A L, Pol V J, Chaudhari P S, Bakare S M, Awake P P, Bindu R S, Deciphering the enigma of glomus tumors: A case series. IP Indian J Clin Exp Dermatol 2024;10(4):493-501

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