Clinico-epidemiological Characteristics and Long-term Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Glomus Tumor: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Glomus tumors are painful neoplasms arising from the glomus bodies generally over fingertips. Being rare tumors, data on long-term surgical outcomes is scarce.

Aim and objective: This study aimed to describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics, and surgical outcomes, assess patient satisfaction, rates of recurrence, and surgical complications of glomus tumor.

Patients and methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with glomus tumors of nail apparatus who attended the dermatosurgery clinic and underwent surgery in the last 10 years (2013-2023). The demographic details, presenting symptoms, investigations, surgical procedures, and follow-up were analyzed.

Results: There were 25 patients with glomus tumor with a female preponderance, and fingers were affected (23/25) in the majority. The most common symptom was pain present in all patients. Reddish-blue discoloration of the nail bed was seen in 17 (68%) patients and nail plate changes in the form of dystrophic nails and longitudinal splitting at presentation were noted in five (20%) patients. All patients were treated surgically by transungual excision. The commonest immediate complication was pain, present in all patients. Incomplete nail plate formation and longitudinal split post-surgery were noted in six patients (24%). The median duration of follow-up was 5 years post-surgery. All the patients were satisfied after surgery having complete pain relief without any recurrence during the follow-up period.

Limitations: Small sample size, retrospective study design, and unavailability of onychoscopy and imaging studies (ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging) in all cases.

Conclusion: Surgical excision of glomus tumors was curative with minimal risk of recurrence. Patients were contended with pain relief and improved quality of life.