[Key diagnostic features and treatment of subungual glomus tumor]

Glomus tumor was first described by Wood in 1812 and named as such by Masson in 1924. It is a rare benign vascular tumor of the neuromyoarterial glomus. The triad of cold intolerance, intense paroxysmal pain, and well-defined site of pain is characteristic of the tumor. Approximately 80 % of lesions are found on the upper limbs, mostly under the nails. Between 2005 and 2008, 7 patients with this disease were seen in our department. Diagnosis was confirmed by histology after excision. We review the clinical features, complementary diagnostic tests, and main surgical techniques described.