Transungual Excision of Glomus Tumors: A Treatment and Quality of Life Study

Glomus tumors are rare benign painful tumors, frequently found in the subungual region. Complete surgical excision is essential for relief of symptoms. The main postoperative complications are tumor recurrence and nail dystrophy.

To evaluate the long-term outcome and the impact on quality of life (QoL) of glomus tumors after a transungual approach.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Twenty-six patients underwent transungual excision of subungual glomus tumors. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to evaluate the postoperative outcome. Glomus tumor-related QoL was investigated using modified nail psoriasis (NPQ10) and onychomycosis questionnaires.

A response rate of 85% was achieved. After a mean follow-up of 63 months after transungual excision of the tumor, the mean Numeric Pain Rating Score had improved from 7.9 (±SD 1.8) preoperatively, to 0.8 (±SD 1.9) (p < .000). Quality of life improved significantly: the mean NPQ10-score improved from 5.5 (±SD 3.4) to 0.64 (±SD 2.1) (p < .000). Nail-related sequelae were not reported in any of the patients.

Our study showed that glomus tumors cause impairment on QoL, mostly due to severe pain. Surgical excision with the transungual approach is an effective treatment, without permanent damage to the nail unit that gives relief of pain and improves QoL.