The diagnosis and treatment of glomus tumor: report of 18 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore clinical manifestations, image findings, histopathological characteristics and surgical treatment for glomus tumor. Methods Clinical data of 18 patients with glomus tumor, who underwent surgical treatment from 1992 to 2002 was analysed retrospectively. Results There were 11 males and 7 females. The mean age was (39?7) years old, with 11.1% (2/18) cases of multiple tumors. Glomus tumor was located in the subungual region or extremities of limbs in 61.1% (11/18) cases, the diameter of the tumor was less than 10 mm in 88.9% (16/18) cases. The clinical misdiagnosis rate was as high as 61.1% (13/18).B ultrasound made correct diagnosis in 85.7% (6/7) cases with tumor location other than in the subungual region or extremities of limbs, while radiological finding rate was only 33.3% (4/12).There were 16 glomus tumors histopathologically classified as the glomangiomatous type, and 2 the solid type. The immunochemistry in 10 cases were all positive for Vementin. Conclusions Glomus tumor in the subungual region or extremities of limbs could be diagnosed without difficulty, while it was usually difficult to make correct diagnosis in cases with tumor at the other site for lack of specific symptoms and physical signs. Surgical removal should be the golden standard for the treatment of this tumor.