title: The value of clinical diagnosis of digital glomus tumors.
abstract: Glomus tumors are benign neoplasms that differentiate from the glomus apparatus. This neoplasm is clinically characterized by a typical symptomatological triad: paroxysmal pain, pinpoint pain and hypersensitivity to cold. The diagnosis is usually clinical, but can be confirmed by instrumental tests such as X-ray, MRI, selective arteriography and most commonly by ultrasound, with or without Doppler. Surgical resection of the glomus tumor is the definitive treatment with resolution of all symptoms. From 1997 to 2007, 21 surgically-treated cases were reviewed and here we report the clinical assessment that was used. The nine most recent cases of glomus tumor underwent surgery after clinical assessment alone. In our opinion clinical examination is the most effective method to diagnose this type of tumor and in selected cases it may be sufficient to undergo surgical therapy.
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "La Sapienza", Department of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, Rome, Italy. emanuelecigna@msn.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cigna
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carlesimo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bistoni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scuderi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005918:Glomus Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography