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Treatment of subungual glomus tumors using the nail bed margin approach
Pei-ji Wang1, Yong Zhang, Jia-Ju Zhao
1Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Background:
Subungual glomus tumors are rare soft-tissue tumors. The only effective treatment is complete surgical excision. Many surgical approaches had been reported to excise the tumor, but they all have limitations.
Objectives:
To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of curing subungual glomus tumors using the nail bed margin approach.
Materials And Methods:
From June 2005 to January 2012, 17 patients diagnosed with subungual glomus tumors underwent complete excision using a nail bed margin approach under a surgical microscope. Recurrence of symptoms, local complications, and tumor recurrence were evaluated through long-term follow-up.
Results:
Histopathologic reports confirmed the diagnosis of glomus tumor in all patients. At a mean follow-up of 31.4 months, all patients had complete postoperative relief of pain, the nails recovered completely with normal shape, and no complications or recurrences were observed.
Conclusion:
In the treatment of subungual glomus tumors, the nail bed margin approach is a simple, feasible, effective new method with a low complication and recurrence rate. It can sufficiently expose and completely excise tumors at any subungual region. This approach is expected to be an excellent alternative approach for the excision of subungual glomus tumors.
Insights
The nail bed margin approach offers a simple and effective solution for excising subungual glomus tumors. This method resulted in complete pain relief and no recurrence in patients, making it a promising alternative treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Subungual glomus tumors are uncommon soft-tissue neoplasms.
- Complete surgical excision is the primary treatment modality.
- Existing surgical techniques for tumor removal present limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the nail bed margin approach for treating subungual glomus tumors.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen patients with subungual glomus tumors underwent complete excision via the nail bed margin approach.
- Surgical procedures were performed under a surgical microscope.
- Long-term follow-up evaluated symptom recurrence, local complications, and tumor reoccurrence.
Main Results:
- Histopathology confirmed glomus tumors in all cases.
- Mean follow-up was 31.4 months.
- All patients experienced complete pain relief post-surgery, with normal nail recovery and no observed complications or recurrences.
Conclusions:
- The nail bed margin approach is a straightforward, viable, and effective technique for subungual glomus tumor excision.
- This method allows for adequate exposure and complete tumor removal from any subungual location.
- It presents a low rate of complications and recurrence, positioning it as an excellent alternative surgical option.
