Subungual Glomus Tumor of the Hallux: A Report of 4 Cases

This study reports the clinical outcomes and evolution of 4 patients with subungual glomus tumor (GT) of the hallux treated with tumor excision. Preoperatively, all patients had pain of intensity 9 or 10. Three were sensitive to cold and had stabbing pain, and one reported pulsatile pain. No patient presented nail alterations. There were no bone alterations on radiographic images and diagnostic suspicion of GT was supported by magnetic resonance images. Surgical treatment was indicated due to severe pain and functional limitation. The GT excision was performed by removing the nail through an L-shaped incision in the nail bed. After surgery, they all showed clinical improvement with return to previous activities and had no difficulty in wearing regular shoes. Three patients were pain-free and one had occasional stabbing pain of intensity 2. Half of them had nail changes. There has been no recurrence so far. Thus, we found that resection of subungual GT of the hallux was effective for the clinical improvement of patients.

Level of Evidence: IV, case reports.