Symplastic glomus tumor: Pathologist's challenge and physician's dilemma: A case report with review

Abstract

Glomus tumor is a distinct mesenchymal tumor of specialized perivascular smooth cell origin (pericyte), reminiscent of normal glomus body located in the fingers. It accounts for <2% of soft tissue tumors. Recently WHO categorized few unusual variants, of which symplastic glomus tumor is one. Histologic picture of the latter shows marked nuclear atypia in the absence of any other malignant features. They are exceedingly rare, hence their biological behavior, prognosis and treatment are little understood. But recognizing this entity would prevent misdiagnosis of malignancy. We report such a case in a 39-year-old female presented with excruciating pain in the left thumb.

Keywords

• glomus tumor
• malignant potential
• symplastic