Disseminated Cutaneous Glomangiomas in an Adolescent Boy

Abstract

© 2012 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/00015555-1281 Journal Compilation © 2012 Acta Dermato-Venereologica. ISSN 0001-5555 Glomus tumours are distinctive neoplasms composed of cells resembling the modified smooth muscle cells of the normal glomus body (a specialized form of arteriovenous anastomosis involved in thermal and baroregulation) (1, 2). Vascular tumours with glomus cell morphology occur in two unrelated forms, the glomus tumour per se and the glomuvenous malformation (GVM, OMIM 138000) or glomangioma (3, 4). Clinically, glomangiomas tend to resemble haemangiomas. Differentiation of these entities is important due to their divergent treatment modalities. We report here a case in which multiple glomangiomas were clinically diagnosed as haemangiomas, but histological examination rendered the diagnosis more precisely. The clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis and treatment options of this rare entity are reviewed.