[Glomus tumor--clinical experience of 14 cases]

Fourteen cases of subungual glomus tumors were treated from June 1, 1984 to November 15, 1987. Of these cases, 4 were male and 10 were female; 8 occurred on the; right hand and 6 on the left hand; tumors found on the thumb: 6 case; on the index: 1 case; on the middle finger: 1 case, and on the ring finger: 6 cases. All these tumors were subungual, located around the lunula area and were treated by surgical excision with complete relief of symptoms. In the earlier cases, the tumors were approached with total nail removal and longitudinal incision in the nail bed. After the tumors were excised, the nail beds were repaired with 5 "0" or 6 "0" absorbable suture material. Longitudinal ridge deformities of the nail were noted in all these cases in the follow-up. In the later cases, the tumors were approached with proximal half nail removal and a "U" or "+" incision in the nail bed. After the tumors were excised, the nail beds were repaired with 7 "0" or 8 "0" suture material. No deformities of the nail were noted in these cases in the follow up. We suggest the subungual tumor be treated by surgical excision, and to avoid later nail deformity, the tumor located around the lunula be approached by proximal half nail removal, a "U" or "+" incision on the nail bed and repair of the nail bed with 7 "0" or 8 "0" suture material.