[Multiple glomus tumors]

Abstract

Two patients with disseminated glomus tumors (glomangiomas) are reported. Histologically, the angiomatous from typical of multiple glomus tumors was found. Th glomus tumors are related to the arterio-venous anastomoses (organ of Hoyer-Grosser). The most important histological variants are the epithelioid and the angiomatous type. Possibly, the former is related to the arterial segment, the latter to the venous segment of the normal arterio-venous anastomoses. The histological identification of glomus cells is diagnostic. The nature of these cells has been under discussion since Masson's time. Ultrastructurally, they have been clearly identified as modified smooth muscles cells. Electron-microscopy can be helpful in the differentiation of glomus tumors from hemangiopericytomas which may sometimes be difficult histologically.