# Unmasking the Silent Glomus Tumor of the Index Finger—A Case Report and Literature Review

## TL;DR

A rare subungual glomus tumor caused chronic finger pain for 15 years before being correctly diagnosed and cured with surgery.

## Contribution

Highlights the diagnostic challenges of glomus tumors with atypical pain radiation and the importance of clinical suspicion over imaging.

## Key findings

- Surgical excision of a 1-mm subungual glomus tumor provided immediate and complete pain relief.
- Glomus tumors can present with atypical referred pain, leading to prolonged misdiagnosis.
- Clinical diagnosis based on historical features can be more reliable than imaging in certain cases.

## Abstract

Glomus tumors are rare, benign neoplasms of the finger, notorious for causing debilitating pain and significant diagnostic delays. We present the case of a 62‐year‐old female with a 15‐year history of chronic, severe left index finger pain that was exacerbated by cold and pressure. Unusually, her pain radiated proximally to the shoulder, which contributed to a prolonged misdiagnosis. Despite a previously inconclusive MRI, a clinical diagnosis was made based on pathognomonic historical features. Surgical excision of a 1‐mm subungual tumor provided immediate and complete symptomatic relief, with histopathology confirming the diagnosis of a glomus tumor. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by glomus tumors, especially with atypical presentations such as referred pain. It underscores the primacy of clinical acumen over imaging in certain contexts and reinforces that surgical excision is curative, emphasizing the need for heightened clinical suspicion to prevent years of patient suffering.

Subungual glomus tumors are rare causes of chronic, debilitating finger pain, frequently misdiagnosed for 7–15 years. Timely recognition, even with atypical radiation, is crucial. Surgical excision offers patients immediate and complete pain relief.