Glomus tumours: an immunohistochemical profile of 11 cases

We studied 11 glomus tumours immunohistochemically, with a panel of connective tissue and epithelial markers. Most tumours contained small nerve fibres located in connective tissue septae between groups of glomus cells, thus accounting for the frequent occurrence of pain associated with glomus tumours. All tumours stained positively for muscle-specific actin and vimentin. Immunostaining for high and low molecular weight cytokeratins, desmin, myoglobin, S-100 protein, neurofilaments and Factor VIII related antigen was negative. Our findings confirm and amplify the proposed smooth muscle histogenesis of glomus tumours. This immunohistochemical profile may be of diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis of atypical glomus tumours.