Gastric glomus tumor in a patient with biliary colic: a rare case report with literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Glomus tumor (GT) mainly occurs in the extremities. Its appearance elsewhere has rarely been reported. This study aims to report an incidental finding of gastric GT in a patient with biliary colic. Case presentation: A 45-year-old female presents with moderate to severe upper abdominal pain. Physical examination was performed, the abdomen was soft, nontender, and no mass felt. Transabdominal ultrasound showed a single stone in the gallbladder, normal wall thickness, and no biliary dilatation. The diagnosis of biliary colic was achieved based on the clinical presentation, examination findings, and test results. Wedge resection of the stomach with open cholecystectomy was performed. Histopathology result was compatible with gastric GT. Clinical discussion: The clinical examination of GT is much similar to other tumors like hemangioma, lipoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and leiomyoma. Concerning diagnosis, GT is mostly intersecting with gastrointestinal stromal tumors, mainly in small biopsy screening. For this reason, most of the gastric GT can be identified preoperatively as gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Conclusion: Gastric GT is an uncommon benign tumor that can be found incidentally during the diagnosis of other diseases or tumors because of its clinical and radiologic similarities.