Rare glomus tumor formation following trauma to the first digit.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Glomus tumors are rare and few cases are reported in the literature. They typically occur in females on the digits of the hands. CASE PRESENTATION We report a case of a 30 year-old woman who presented with a mass that developed on the distal tip of her right thumb after traumatic injury. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted and mass resection was performed. Histopathology confirmed that the mass was a glomus tumor. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Clinical presentations of glomus tumors are typically non-specific, mainly consisting of a small mass with chronic pain, with a lengthy time to diagnosis and potentially improper management. MRI is the preferred diagnostic step, followed by curative surgical excision and pathological confirmation. CONCLUSION: Glomus tumors can cause significant discomfort for patients, and clinicians should be aware of the rare diagnosis when treating painful masses on the extremities, as surgical excision is often curative.