Multiple glomus tumors

Abstract

Solitary and multiple glomus tumors are vascular tumors arising from glomus cells. These two forms have distinct clinical and histopathological features, suggesting that they might have a different pathogenesis. The multiple form is less frequent than the solitary form. Its diagnosis and treatment are more problematic and often delayed. We present the case of a 40-year-old patient, with a 20-year history of numerous non-tender disseminated blue papules. At the age of 30 years one of the lesions was excised and than regrew and became painful. The histological exam of the lesions was consistent with glomangioma, also known as glomus tumor. We performed surgical resection of the nodular and painful lesions. The diagnosis of glomus tumor is easily suspected when the lesion is painful located in the subungual region. However, if the lesions are multiple and extradigitally located, the clinical diagnosis may be difficult and requires having in mind this differential diagnosis. Our case also shows that glomus tumors may regrow after excision in the same location.