HAS A GLOMUS TUMOR ALWAYS A QUICK DIAGNOSIS?

Glomus tumor is a rare and benign vascular tumor. Although symptoms specific for this tumor are quite clear, there is still a delay between the onset of symptoms, diagnosis and subsequent surgical therapy. The authors monitor the time from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis and management of the problems.

Between 2004-2012, a total of 5 patients were diagnosed with subungual glomus tumor in the area of the distal phalanges of the hand. It involved 3 women and 2 men with the mean age of 32.2 years (26-47 years). During the first examination, we monitored the duration of symptoms, number and specialty of the doctors who examined the patient, and what examinations were performed. When the cold test was positive, MRI was performed and the patients were indicated for surgical revision. Tissue samples in all patients were histologically examined. Patients were followed for 2 years.

It was found that the patients had clinical symptoms for an average of 2.4 years. In our group, the patients were examined by an average of 5.4 physicians (3-9 physicians). On examination before surgery, three patients reported changes in the nail bed and two patients reported no change. When following the patients 2 years after the surgery, relapse occurred in one patient and it was treated with reoperation. During regular follow-up 2 years after the surgery, 4 patients were without nail deformity. In one patient, there was resulting nail deformity. Relapse occurred in only one case.

Because the glomus tumor is a rare lesion, occurring most frequently in the nail bed, early diagnosis is still a problem. Even in literature, we encounter a similar time frame from the onset of symptoms until the final diagnosis of 1.9 to 8 years.

Although clinical signs and problems concerning the glomus tumor are very obvious, there still remains a long time for diagnosis. It would certainly be most beneficial for patients with persistent symptoms not to be referred to different specialists, but directly to a department that specializes in hand surgery.