J Korean Orthop Assoc.
1987 Oct;22(5):1181-1185. 10.4055/jkoa.1987.22.5.1181.
Glomus Tumor
- KMID: 2445595
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1987.22.5.1181
Abstract
- Glomus tumor is a painful small subcutaneous mass as described by William Wood in 1812. Although a 1812. Although a glomus tumor of the hand is an unusual lesion, it occurs with suffient frequency to be source of difficulty for the unwary surgeon. The normal glomus is an endmrgan apparatus which is a remarkable arteriovenous anatomosis functioning without an intermediary capillary bed. Distributed widely over the surface of the surface of the body in the deepest layer of the corium or in the stratum retinaculare of the skin, it is most abundant at the distal ends of the extremities. The most frequent site is beneath the nails. The main function of the normal glomus body is to aid in the regulation of the skin circulation. Grossly the tumor forms a soft pink or purple, well defined, slightly elongated mass almost always less than one centimeter in diameter. Microscopically the tumor is organized and highly differentiated. Glomus tumor may occur at any age but is most frequent at the middle age of life. The great majority of subungual lesions are found in the middle-aged women. The paper is aimed to report on our experience with 7 cases of glomus tumor which were successfully treated treated by complete excision and to review the literature.
