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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• glomus tumor
• transillumination
• nail diseases
• xsurgical procedures, operative