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Glomus Tumour Excision

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Overview¶
Glomus tumours are uncommon soft tissue neoplasms of the extremities that are frequently dismissed by clinicians, resulting in prolonged diagnostic delays regardless of tumor location [1, 7]. This rare condition was encountered in 0.26% of patients (8 of 3014) referring for hand surgery over a 10-year period [9]. While often misdiagnosed and subjected to various non-surgical interventions before definitive care [8], glomus tumor represents one of the most painful clinical conditions confirmed by comprehensive assessment [4]. Multiple digital glomus tumors constitute a definite entity, occurring in seven of 28 patients in one series [5].
Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, providing excellent pain relief with minimal complications and no recurrence in reported series [2]. Once identified, these tumors can be effectively treated with complete excision [3]. Surgical excision was curative with minimal risk of recurrence [11], and in all instances of one study, although one patient required a second procedure for complete excision [13]. Careful dissection and complete excision almost always offer permanent relief [17]. Specific techniques, such as the transungual approach, have resulted in complete symptom improvement without recurrences [14], and the Microscopic Transungual Surgical Approach demonstrates potential efficacy [12]. The described technique allows simple access to tumors under the proximal nail bed with minimal defect [16].
High magnification with an operative microscope is essential and must be used routinely during excision, especially in the distal phalanx, to prevent recurrence [18]. Regarding pre-operative imaging, failure to diagnose glomus tumors on MRI is associated with smaller tumor size, atypical pathology, and atypical location [26]. Based on study results and the cost of MRI, the senior author has stopped ordering pre-operative MRIs in patients clinically diagnosed with a glomus tumour [19].
Anatomy & Pathophysiology¶
Glomus Body Physiology and Tumor Origin¶
Glomus tumours are benign neoplasms that originate from the glomus body [23]. The glomus body is a neuromyoarterial structure that regulates blood pressure and temperature through regulation of blood flow in the cutaneous vasculature [23]. Consequently, glomus tumors develop within the glomus neuro-myo-arterial system [15].
Anatomical Distribution and Prevalence¶
Glomus tumours are a rare entity that most commonly affect the fingertips of the digits [20]. This uncommon soft tissue neoplasm commonly occurs in the extremities [7]. Specifically, glomus tumors are benign, rare tumors, representing approximately 5% of soft tissue tumors of the hand [15], and the glomus tumour accounts for 1%–5% of all hand tumours [23]. The most common location for glomus tumours is the distal segment of the fingers [23]. The neoplasm most commonly occurs in the subungual area, where abundant glomus bodies are present [23]. Glomus tumors mostly occur in the hand at the subungual region [15]. Seventy-five to ninety percent of glomus tumours are located in the subungual region because of a high concentration of glomus bodies [38]. Glomus tumours can also occur in the periungual or pulp areas [23].
Clinical Presentation and Diagnostic Challenges¶
Pain is the most common symptom, with 66 patients (90%) presenting with paroxysmal pain and pain on pressure [20]. Pain related to cold sensation is the next most common symptom after paroxysmal pain and pain on pressure [20]. Only 10 patients (14%) described pain related to changes in temperature [20]. Glomus tumor is one of the most painful clinical conditions confirmed by comprehensive clinical assessment [4]. These subcutaneous, mostly subungual, nodules have a disproportionate negative impact despite their small size [24]. Symptoms are often unclear, even when there is significant pain, and diagnosis is often late [15]. Chronic pain evolves in the upper limb and causes disability and handicap [15]. Glomus tumour may be easily dismissed by clinicians, resulting in a prolonged period before the right diagnosis is made [7]. Subungual glomus tumours have characteristic clinical presentation [21]. The clinical diagnosis is based on spontaneous pain with proximal radiation, pain during immersion in cold water, pain upon touching the lesion by a blunt tip (Love’s sign), and positive Hildreth’s sign where symptoms are abolished by proximal tourniquet inflation [37].
Histopathology and Tumor Characteristics¶
The mean size of the glomus tumours on pathological examination was 5.7 mm (range 215) [20]. In a series of 11 cases, the histological aspect of the tumors was typically benign, with no multiple locations or degenerative malignancy observed [32]. Multiple digital glomus tumors are a definite entity, occurring in seven of 28 patients in a specific series [5]. Tumours in 14 (19%) patients occurred in a region of the hand that had previously suffered trauma [20].
Classification¶
Epidemiology and Origin: Glomus tumours account for 1%–5% of all hand tumours [23]. These benign neoplasms originate from the glomus body, a neuromyoarterial structure that regulates blood pressure and temperature by controlling blood flow within the cutaneous vasculature [23].
Anatomic Distribution: The distal segment of the fingers represents the most common location for glomus tumors [23]. These subcutaneous, mostly subungual nodules demonstrate a predominance on the ring finger [24]. Additionally, glomus tumors can occur in the periungual or pulp areas [23].
Other Considerations: Glomus tumors are often misdiagnosed, leading to various non-surgical treatment options before definitive surgical intervention [8]. Diagnosis is frequently delayed, resulting in patients being misdiagnosed for months or even years [15]. The continued importance of clinical suspicion in diagnosis is highlighted by findings regarding tumors not diagnosed on MRI [6].
Clinical Presentation¶
Epidemiology and Demographics¶
Glomus tumors represent approximately 5% of soft tissue tumors of the hand [15] and account for 1%–5% of all hand tumours [23]. In a series of 73 patients, the mean age was 49 years (range 16-91) [20]. The cohort comprised 31 women and 43 men [20].
Anatomical Location¶
These neoplasms develop within the glomus neuro-myo-arterial system, mostly in the hand at the subungual region [15]. The tumor most commonly occurs in the subungual area, where abundant glomus bodies are present, but it can also occur in the periungual or pulp areas [23]. In a series of 73 patients, tumours were mostly located in the subungual/nail bed region and fingertip/pulp [20]. Glomus tumors commonly occur in the extremities [7]. Subcutaneous, mostly subungual nodules have a predominance on the ring finger [24].
Symptoms and Signs¶
Pain is the most common symptom, with 66 patients (90%) presenting with paroxysmal pain and pain on pressure in a series of 73 patients [20]. Pain related to cold sensation was the next most common symptom in this series [20]. Only 10 patients (14%) described pain related to changes in temperature [20]. Glomus tumor is one of the most painful clinical conditions [4]. Symptoms are often unclear, even when there is significant pain [15]. Despite their small size, glomus tumors have a disproportionate negative impact [24].
Diagnostic Challenges¶
Glomus tumours may pose a diagnostic challenge even to hand surgeons [20]. Awareness of the diagnosis and application of Hildreth's test should reduce delay and mis-diagnosis in the management of glomus tumours [27].
Multiple Tumors¶
In a series of 11 cases, no multiple locations were observed [32].
Investigations¶
Clinical Examination¶
Symptoms are often unclear, even when there is significant pain, and diagnosis is often late, causing many patients to be misdiagnosed for months or even years [15]. A careful preoperative and intraoperative examination for synchronous lesions should be made, and patients should be informed of the risk of recurrent symptoms [28].
Imaging¶
These findings highlight the continued importance of clinical suspicion in glomus tumor diagnosis [6].
Treatment¶
Non-Operative¶
The provided evidence does not support specific conservative management options such as weight loss, physical therapy, NSAIDs, or injections for glomus tumors.
Operative¶
Indications: Surgical excision is the treatment of choice and reference standard for glomus tumors [2, 15]. Once identified, these tumors can be effectively treated with complete excision [3].
Surgical Approach / Technique: Complete surgical excision is curative with minimal risk of recurrence [11] and provides excellent pain relief [2]. Careful dissection and complete excision almost always offer permanent relief [17], curing the condition dramatically [4]. In a series of digital glomus tumors, surgical excision was curative in all instances, although one patient required a second procedure for complete excision [13].
Operative Technique and Magnification: High magnification with an operative microscope is essential and must be used routinely during excision, especially in the distal phalanx, to prevent recurrence [18]. In a multicentre study, surgical excision was performed under loupe magnifier or microscopy [23]. For peripheral subungual tumors, a periungual incision shaped like a shark’s mouth is made and continued down to the distal phalanx to elevate a dorsal flap containing the skin, nail bed, and germinal matrix [37]. For centrally located subungual tumors, a transungual approach is used where an opening equivalent in size to one quarter of the nail is made in front of the tumor [37]. If a glomus tumor has invaded the phalanx, curettage is needed during excision [38].
Approach Variants: A transungual approach with careful dissection using an operating microscope produces good results with complete symptom relief, no local recurrence, and no cosmetically unacceptable nail deformity [29]. A microscopic transungual surgical approach has potential efficacy in treating glomus tumors [12]. A transungual approach with partial proximal nail avulsion helps in proper growth of the nail as there are no chances of distal nail embedding [39]. A surgical technique described for approaching a glomus tumour under the proximal nail bed produces a minimal defect [16]. In a study of subungual glomus tumors, no new nail deformity was found with the utilized approach [30].
Lateral-Ungual Approach: A lateral-ungual approach involving a full thickness nail bed flap or finger pulp flap raised subperiosteally was used to remove glomus tumors in eight patients [38]. In this approach, the glomus tumor is carefully separated and resected under the microscope to limit damage to the nail bed [38]. The incision is closed with interrupted 8-0 absorbable sutures, and the nail bed is covered with oil carbasus after closure [38].
Outcomes and Complications: No patient experienced a wound infection or a nail deformity following the lateral-ungual approach with nail bed or pulp flap [38]. Pain was significantly improved and all patients recovered normal function in 3 weeks following the lateral-ungual approach [38].
Complications¶
Recurrence: The transungual approach with careful dissection using an operating microscope produces good results with complete symptom relief and no local recurrence [29]. A lateral surgical approach with careful matriectomy is effective in most cases, with minimal recurrence [25]. The ‘shark mouth’ flap approach for digital glomus tumours achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes with a low recurrence rate [40].
Nail Deformity: In four cases within the nail restored group, there was no nail deformity [22]. Contrary to reported literature, no new nail deformity developed with this approach [30]. The ‘shark mouth’ flap approach for digital glomus tumours achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes with no new nail deformities [40].
Recovery¶
Other Considerations: Surgical excision provides excellent pain relief with minimal complications and no recurrence [2]. Glomus tumors can be effectively treated with complete excision [3], and complete surgical excision dramatically cures glomus tumors [4]. The described surgical technique for approaching a glomus tumour under the proximal nail bed produces a minimal defect [16]. Chronic pain from glomus tumors evolves in the upper limb and causes disability and handicap [15]. Surgical management of glomus tumors improves quality of life [15].
Key Evidence¶
- [Paper] Glomus tumors of the hand are associated with prolonged diagnostic delay regardless of tumor location. [1] (10.7759/cureus.107434)
- [Paper] Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, providing excellent pain relief with minimal complications and no recurrence in this series. [2] (10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i10.8284)
- [Paper] Once identified, glomus tumors can be effectively treated with complete excision. [3] (10.7759/cureus.86227)
- [Paper] Glomus tumor is one of the most painful clinical conditions confirmed by comprehensive clinical assessment and cured dramatically by complete surgical excision. [4] (10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_446_20)
- [L4] Multiple digital glomus tumors are a definite entity, occurring in seven of 28 patients in this series. [5] (10.1016/s0363-5023(79)80076-3)
- [L4] These findings highlight the continued importance of clinical suspicion in glomus tumor diagnosis. [6] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.12.002)
- [L4] Glomus tumour is an uncommon soft tissue neoplasm that commonly occurs in the extremities and may be easily dismissed by clinicians, resulting in a prolonged period before the right diagnosis is made. [7] (10.1186/s13018-023-04234-1)
- [L4] Glomus tumours are often misdiagnosed and are intervened with different treatment options before being surgically intervened. [8] (10.4103/jwas.jwas_171_22)
- [L4] Glomus tumor is a rare disease, encountered in 0.26% of patients (8 of 3014) referring for hand surgery over a 10-year period. [9] (10.1097/bth.0b013e3181c767d4)
- [Paper] Surgical excision of glomus tumors was curative with minimal risk of recurrence. [11] (10.4103/idoj.idoj_786_24)
- [Paper] Our study suggests the potential efficacy of the Microscopic Transungual Surgical Approach in treating glomus tumors. [12] (10.3389/fmed.2025.1607299)
- [L4] Surgical excision was curative in all instances, although one patient required a second procedure for complete excision. [13] (10.1016/s0363-5023(77)80121-4)
- [Paper] Excision of glomus tumors through a transungual approach resulted in the complete improvement of symptoms without recurrences. [14] (10.1016/j.jpra.2020.09.004)
- [L4] [15] (10.1016/j.main.2014.07.001)
- [L4] With the described surgical technique, it is simple to approach a glomus tumour under the proximal nail bed and it produces a minimal defect. [16] (10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80069-1)
- [L4] Careful dissection and complete excision of the tumour almost always offer permanent relief. [17] (10.1016/s0266-7681(96)80110-0)
- [Paper] High magnification with operative microscope is essential and has to be used routinely during the excision of glomus tumor especially in the distal phalanx in order to prevent recurrence. [18] (10.4103/jcas.jcas_161_21)
- [L4] Based on the results of the current study and the cost of MRI, the senior author has stopped ordering pre-operative MRIs in patients clinically diagnosed with a glomus tumour. [19] (10.1016/j.jhsb.2005.06.009)
- [L4] [20] (10.1177/17531934211049632)
- [Paper] Subungual glomus tumours have characteristic clinical presentation. [21] (10.4103/0974-2077.123401)
- [L4] In four cases in the nail restored group, there was no nail deformity. [22] (10.1016/0363-5023(94)90070-1)
- [L4] [23] (10.1177/1753193418774176)
- [L4] These subcutaneous, mostly subungual, nodules, with predominance on the ring finger, have a disproportionate negative impact despite their small size. [24] (10.1016/j.hansur.2017.04.002)
- [Paper] A lateral surgical approach with careful matriectomy was effective in most cases, with minimal recurrence. [25] (10.7759/cureus.85869)
- [L4] Failure to diagnose glomus tumors on MRI is associated with smaller tumor size, atypical glomus tumor pathology, and atypical location. [26] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.06.096)
- [L2] Awareness of the diagnosis and application of Hildreth's test should reduce delay and mis-diagnosis in the management of glomus tumours. [27] (10.1054/jhsb.2001.0724)
- [L4] A careful preoperative and intraoperative examination for synchronous lesions should be made, and patients should be informed of the risk of recurrent symptoms. [28] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.02.019)
- [L4] The transungual approach with careful dissection using an operating microscope produced good results with complete symptom relief, no local recurrence, and no cosmetically unacceptable nail deformity. [29] (10.1177/1753193408104799)
- [Paper] Contrary to reported literature, we did not find the development of any new nail deformity with this approach. [30] (10.4103/0019-5413.159611)
- [L4] In this series of 11 cases, the histological aspect of the tumors was typically benign, with no multiple locations or degenerative malignancy observed. [32] (10.1016/s1297-3203(00)73487-1)
- [L3] [37] (10.1016/j.main.2014.09.006)
- [L4] [38] (10.1177/1753193410397980)
- [Paper] It also helps in proper growth of nail as there are no chances of distal nail embedding in the case of proximal nail avulsion as in our case. [39] (10.4103/0974-2077.191654)
- [L4] It achieves satisfactory clinical outcomes with no new nail deformities and a low recurrence rate. [40] (10.1177/1753193419867049)
See Also¶
References¶
[1] Diagnostic Delay and Clinical Characteristics of Glomus Tumors in the Hand: A Case Series of 11 Patients. Cureus. 2026. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.107434
[2] Early Recognition of Glomus Tumor of Hand Using Clinical Tests: Experience from an Indian Tertiary Center. Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports. 2026. DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2026.v16.i10.8284
[3] Management of Glomus Tumors: Experience From a Tertiary Care Centre in India. Cureus. 2025. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.86227
[4] Digital glomus tumor: An experience of 57 cases over 20 years. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. 2020. DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_446_20
[5] Multiple digital glomus tumors. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1979. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(79)80076-3
[6] Characteristics of Glomus Tumors in the Hand Not Diagnosed on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.12.002
[7] Glomus tumour: an institutional experience of 31 cases. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2023. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04234-1
[8] Glomus Tumour of Hand––A Commonly Misdiagnosed Pathology. Journal of West African College of Surgeons. 2022. DOI: 10.4103/jwas.jwas_171_22
[9] Diagnosis and Management of Glomus Tumors of the Hand. Techniques in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery. 2010. DOI: 10.1097/bth.0b013e3181c767d4
[11] Clinico-epidemiological Characteristics and Long-term Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Glomus Tumor: A Retrospective Study. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 2025. DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_786_24
[12] A microscopic transungual surgical approach for subungual glomus tumor resection. Frontiers in Medicine. 2025. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1607299
[13] Glomus tumor of the digits. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1977. DOI: 10.1016/s0363-5023(77)80121-4
[14] Outcome of transungual surgical approach with synthetic nail shield in the treatment of digital glomus tumors: A retrospective study. JPRAS Open. 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2020.09.004
[15] Improvement in quality of life after surgery for glomus tumors of the fingers. Chirurgie de la Main. 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.main.2014.07.001
[16] Subungual Glomus Tumours: A Different Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1997. DOI: 10.1016/s0266-7681(97)80069-1
[17] Glomus Tumours of the Hand. Journal of Hand Surgery. 1996. DOI: 10.1016/s0266-7681(96)80110-0
[18] Role of high magnification using operative microscope in surgical clearance of glomus tumor in distal phalanx: An experience of 13 cases. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2022. DOI: 10.4103/jcas.jcas_161_21
[19] Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Glomus Tumours of the Hand. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2005. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsb.2005.06.009
[20] Glomus tumours of the upper limb and hand. A clinicopathological review of cases over two decades. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2021. DOI: 10.1177/17531934211049632
[21] Transungual surgical excision of subungual glomus tumour. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2013. DOI: 10.4103/0974-2077.123401
[22] Prevention of postoperative nail deformity after subungual glomus resection. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 1994. DOI: 10.1016/0363-5023(94)90070-1
[23] Factors affecting surgical outcomes of digital glomus tumour: a multicentre study. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2018. DOI: 10.1177/1753193418774176
[24] Glomus tumors of the upper limb: Single-center retrospective study of clinical and functional outcomes. Hand Surgery and Rehabilitation. 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.hansur.2017.04.002
[25] Lateral Surgical Approach for Subungual Glomus Tumors With Low Recurrence Rates: A Single-Center Case Series. Cureus. 2025. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85869
[26] Characteristics of Glomus Tumors in the Hand Missed on MRI. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2014. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.06.096
[27] Hildreth’s Test is a Reliable Clinical Sign for the Diagnosis of Glomus Tumours. Journal of Hand Surgery. 2002. DOI: 10.1054/jhsb.2001.0724
[28] The Anatomic Location of Digital Glomus Tumor Recurrences. The Journal of Hand Surgery. 2010. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2010.02.019
[29] Subungual glomus tumours of the hand: diagnosis and outcome of the transungual approach. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2009. DOI: 10.1177/1753193408104799
[30] Subungual glomus tumors of the hand. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics. 2015. DOI: 10.4103/0019-5413.159611
[32] Glomus tumors: report on eleven cases and a review of the literature. Chirurgie de la Main. 2000. DOI: 10.1016/s1297-3203(00)73487-1
[37] Which approach is best for subungual glomus tumors? Transungual with microsurgical dissection of the nail bed or periungual?. Chirurgie de la Main. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.main.2014.09.006
[38] The treatment of finger glomus tumours by raising a full thickness nail bed flap or finger pulp flap. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2011. DOI: 10.1177/1753193410397980
[39] Subungual glomus tumour excision with transungual approach with partial proximal nail avulsion. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2016. DOI: 10.4103/0974-2077.191654
[40] The ‘shark mouth’ flap approach for digital glomus tumours in 24 patients: technique and clinical outcomes. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2019. DOI: 10.1177/1753193419867049