Persistent finger discomfort: Glomus tumor—a case report

Abstract

Glomus tumors are rare benign hamartomas, primarily small growths, found in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue, arising from modified glomus cells, which are distributed throughout the body, with a particularly high concentration in the subungual area of the fingers. This case reports a middle-aged man with persistent pain in the tip of his left ring finger for the past 5 years. With ideal imaging, the tumor was identified and surgically excised, and the patient is currently asymptomatic. Despite its presentation as a faint bluish-purple papule with the classic triad of cold hypersensitivity, paroxysmal pain, and point tenderness, it is often missed by clinicians and diagnosed late. With magnetic resonance imaging being the gold standard, the only resolution to pain relief is the complete excision of the tumor. Glomus tumors have been defined and estimated to be a few but significant part of hand tumors; however, in Africa, the prevalence is minimal and clinicians may be unaware of the presentation.