Subungual glomus tumours of the hand: diagnosis and treatment of 14 cases.

A glomus tumour is a rare tumour of the hand, which presents with a classic triad of symptoms of temperature sensitivity, pain, and localised tenderness. We report a series of 14 patients with glomus tumours in the subungual region. There were four men and 10 women, whose mean age was 46 years (range 28-65). All patients complained of pain and localised tenderness and six of temperature sensitivity. The bony lesion was seen on radiographs in four patients. We used a transungual approach in all cases. A detailed history and clinical findings are the best way of making the diagnosis. The treatment of glomus tumour consists of complete excision and repair of the nailbed. Inadequate excision of the tumour usually causes local recurrence.