Diagnosis and treatment of twenty-six cases of glomus tumor in the extremities

Abstract

Objective To study the diagnosis and managements of glomus tumor in the extremities. Methods The clinical data of 26 cases with gloums tumors treated with the surgical resections in this hospital from January 1997 to January 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The patients included 2 males and 24 females, the mean age was 28.9 years old. The clinical misdiagnosis rate of extremity gloums tumor was as high as 23.1%. All patients complained intermittent or continuous pain. Eighteen subungual gloums tumors presented with amethyst like and sensitive tenderness. Love examinations in 26 patients showed localized tenderness point. Eight cases with glomus tumors located beyond the nails, with the solid nodules presenting with middle or decreasing echo by B ultrasound. All cases were surgically removed. The mean follow-up time was 6.5 years. All the cases were completely cured. Conclusions The specific clinical manifestation, Love test and ultrasonic examination can give useful information on the diagnosis of glomus tumor. Surgical resection may be a golden standard for the treatment of this disease. Key words: Glomus tumor; Diagnosis; Surgical treatment