Woman with an extremely tender nodule on finger.

40 year old woman presents with a nodule that started 4 years ago and has gradually enlarged. It is located near the nail fold above the nail matrix. 2 years ago she notice the lesion was distorting the nail plate. She has no other similar lesions. In certain light the lesion has a blue tint. The lesion is extremely painful with light/moderate pressure and sometimes is painful without touching. The lesion also becomes painful if the finger is immersed in cold water, as was done in our office.

What is your diagnosis?

Diagnosis: Glomus tumor.

Also known as a ‘glomangioma’.

This is a benign tumor of a vasculomuscular-thermoreglatory apparatus commonly found in the hands. There are other versions where multiple lesions occur, but are not as painful. See references below.

The lesion was successfully removed surgically by a hand surgeon. Her nail plate improved but still had a minor deformity.

Articles/links For additional information please see:
		Medscape Glomus
		Wikipedia.org Glomus
		Dermnetnz.org Glomus
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