Early Recognition of Glomus Tumor of Hand Using Clinical Tests: Experience from an Indian Tertiary Center

Glomus tumors are rare, benign neoplasms of the glomus body, most often occurring in the subungual region of the digits. Their small size and nonspecific symptoms frequently lead to delayed diagnosis and patient suffering.

A retrospective review of seven histopathologically confirmed cases of glomus tumors treated at a tertiary center was performed. Clinical features, diagnostic tools, surgical approaches, and outcomes were analyzed. Pain severity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after surgical excision.

The cohort included five females and two males, mean age 42 years (range 32-51). Tumors were right sided in five patients and located in the subungual region (n = 3), lateral nail fold (n = 2), pulp (n = 1), and arm (n = 1). Pain was universal; Love's test was positive in all patients, cold sensitivity in 71.4%, and Hildreth's test in 57.1%. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 17.5 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed characteristic hyperintense T2 lesions in all imaged cases. All patients underwent surgical excision (transungual or direct approaches). Pre-operative mean VAS pain score was 8.7, improving to 2.0 postoperatively. No recurrences were observed during a mean 7-month follow-up. One patient developed minor nail deformity.

Digital glomus tumors, though rare, should be strongly suspected in patients with focal fingertip pain and positive Love's test. MRI supports localization, but simple clinical tests remain highly effective, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, providing excellent pain relief with minimal complications and no recurrence in this series.