Case report: the importance of nail transillumination in the diagnosis and topographic evaluation of subungueal glomus tumor

Glomus tumor is a rare, benign neoplasm typically found in areas with a high concentration of glomus bodies. It presents with a characteristic clinical triad: paroxysmal pain, cold sensitivity, and localized tenderness. We report the case of a patient with clinical suspicion of a glomus tumor, in wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Micaelly Samara Meneses Santos, José Roberto Pegas, Raissa Piagentini de Andrade, Leonardo Silva Grassi, Vanessa Cristina Coimbra, Bianca Sousa de Almeida Neves
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia (SBD) 2025-07-01
Series:Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology
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Online Access:http://www.surgicalcosmetic.org.br/Content/imagebank/pdf/v17/en_v17e20250382.pdf
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Summary:Glomus tumor is a rare, benign neoplasm typically found in areas with a high concentration of glomus bodies. It presents with a characteristic clinical triad: paroxysmal pain, cold sensitivity, and localized tenderness. We report the case of a patient with clinical suspicion of a glomus tumor, in which transillumination played a crucial role in diagnosis, surgical planning, and rapid pain relief. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and the utility of transillumination for both diagnosis and therapeutic planning – particularly in settings where high-frequency ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging is not readily available.
ISSN:1984-8773