Glomus tumor causing chronic finger pain: ischemia test is a reliable clinical sign for the diagnosis. Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Glomus tumors are a rare, benign neoplasm arising from the neuroarterial structure known as the glomus body, which is a specialized arteriovenous shunt involved in temperature regulation. They account for less than 2% of soft tissue tumors and between 1% and 4.5% of tumors in the hand.. Despite their first descriptions appearing almost 100 years ago, late and missed diagnoses are common, leading to significant suffering. The classic diagnostic triad includes spontaneous pain, a sensation of pressure and tenderness, and cold hypersensitivity. Magnetic resonance imaging remains the most useful imaging modality. The abolition of pain after inflating a blood pressure cuff above the systolic blood pressure level (ischemia test) is highly diagnostic.Therefore, we suggest the routine use of this simple test in cases of upper limb pain of unclear etiology . Surgical excision is the treatment of choice and is curative.

Keywords: Chronic pain; Diagnostic errors; Dolor crónico; Dolor de dedo; Errores diagnósticos; Finger pain; Glomus tumor; Ischemia test; Prueba de detección de isquemia; Tumor glómico.