A Curious Case of Paroxysmal Painful Thumb: Glomus Tumor Re-visited

J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2022 Oct-Dec;15(4):420-423. doi: 10.4103/JCAS.JCAS_211_20.

Abstract

Glomus tumor is a rare and benign vascular hamartoma originating from the neuro-myo-arterial apparatus of the glomus body in the reticular dermis. Most commonly, it presents as a solitary subungual lesion which is often painful and triggered by changes in temperature and pressure on the affected digit. However, multiple glomus tumors both digitally and elsewhere on the body which may or may not be painful are also known to occur. Due to its cryptic location and varied presentation, there is an invariable delay in the diagnosis and management of this condition. We report a case of glomus tumor in a 28-year-old woman presenting with paroxysmal painful lesion over her right thumb for 5 years.

Keywords: Glomus body; Love’s sign; ildreth’s sign; magnetic resonance imaging.

Publication types

  • Case Reports