Glomangioma in the hand: diagnosis, treatment, and challenges

Abstract

Introduction: In this paper, we have analysed all hand glomangioma cases referred to our clinic in the context of symptoms, time to diagnosis, and the role of surgical resection of the lesion.

Material and methods: We have collected the following data: the presence of risk factors, manifestation, time to diagnosis, the treatment applied, and follow-up of patients.

Results: We have collected medical records from six patients, three males and three females. The median age was 45 (IQR: 29.5-65.75). The main symptom in all patients was severe pain and tenderness. The first-choice physician(s) were: general practitioners, general surgeons, and neurologists. The median time to diagnosis was 7 (IQR: 5-10) years. The main complaint of our patients was severe pain - 9 (IQR: 9-10) on the VAS scale, which was significantly alleviated after surgical treatment - 0 (IQR: 0-0; p = 0.043).

Conclusions: Extremely long times to final diagnosis, and excellent outcomes of surgical treatment, highlight the necessity of raising awareness of glomangiomas among clinicians.

Keywords: glomangioma; glomangiosarcoma; glomuvenous malformation; risk factors; subungual glomangioma; treatment.