Surgical Treatment of Subungual Glomus Tumor: A Unique and Simple Method

• Published in: Dermatologic surgery Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 786 - 791
• Main Authors: SONG, MARGARET, KO, HYUN‐CHANG, KWON, KYUNG‐SOOL, Kim, MOON‐BUM
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.05.2009; by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Dermatology; Diagnosis, Differential; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glomus Tumor - pathology; Glomus Tumor - surgery; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nail Diseases - pathology; Nail Diseases - surgery; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Skin plastic surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Vascular disease; Subungual; Treatment; Dermatology; Surgery; Glomus tumor; Cardiovascular disease; Benign neoplasm; Method
• ISSN: 1076-0512; 1524-4725
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.2009.01129.x

BACKGROUND The glomus tumor, described as a painful subcutaneous nodule, commonly occurs in subungual regions and is accompanied by tenderness and temperature sensitivity. In treatment of subungual glomus tumor, surgical excision is known to be the only curative method. Under surgical approach, it is challenging to minimize postoperative nail deformity and to reduce tumor recurrence. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of surgical treatment of subungual glomus tumor using simple blunt dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty‐three patients diagnosed with subungual glomus tumor underwent surgical procedure using a dorsal transungual approach. A single linear incision was made above the tumor, and the exposed mass was meticulously dissected with the opposite end of a single‐end probe, and the tumor “popped up.” Recurrence of symptom, tumor recurrence, and local complication were evaluated through long‐term follow‐up. RESULTS After a mean follow‐up period of 30 months, only one case recurred, and partial‐thickness skin necrosis occurred around the tourniquet site. There was no postoperative nail deformity. CONCLUSIONS In treatment of subungual glomus tumor, meticulous simple blunt dissection using a transungual approach led the tumor to “pop up” from the tumor bed. This unique and simple method of treating subungual glomus tumor showed low recurrence and minimal complications.