ContentsSynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferencesView all Images (30)
Glomus tumor in Adult
See also in: Nail and Distal Digit
Print Captions OFF
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Glomus tumor in Adult

See also in: Nail and Distal Digit
Print Images (30)
Contributors: Shari Lipner MD, PhD, Belinda Tan MD, PhD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Alerts and Notices

Synopsis

A glomus tumor is benign neoplasm that originates from cells of the glomus body. Glomus bodies are highly concentrated in the fingertips, so not surprisingly, glomus tumors are most common in the hands and subungual region. Small single tumors are most frequent, and women are affected more often than men. Most patients are between 30 and 50 years of age. Subungual glomus tumors may present with a triad: pain, pinpoint tenderness, and cold sensitivity. Physical examination may show a small reddish or bluish papule several millimeters in diameter. Some may present as a longitudinal erythronychia with distal notching or overlying longitudinal fissure.

There is a familial variant of glomus tumor, linked to chromosome 1p21–22, encoding the glomulin gene (GLMN). Multiple glomus tumors are inherited as an autosomal dominant trait and are usually found on the legs. They are often present in younger children. Neurofibromatosis type 1 may present with numerous glomus tumors involving the digits. They are often painless.

For more information on inherited multiple glomus tumors, see OMIM.

Codes

ICD10CM:
D18.00 – Hemangioma unspecified site

SNOMEDCT:
403969002 – Glomus tumor

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Differential diagnosis of painful benign tumors:
Other:
Nail – other causes of a painful nail:

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed: 02/09/2017
Last Updated: 10/27/2017
Copyright © 2019 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Glomus tumor in Adult
See also in: Nail and Distal Digit
Captions OFF Print 30 Images Filter Images
View all Images (30)
(with subscription)
 Reset
Glomus tumor : Painful skin lesions, Subungual papule or tumor, Tender skin lesion
Clinical image of Glomus tumor
A close-up of a deep blue-purple papule with a lighter border.

+28 More images of Glomus tumor with subscription

Copyright © 2019 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.