Orthopaedic Surgery

Answer 2 Glomus tumor. Glomus tumors are neurovascular masses usually found at the fingertips and nail beds where there are numerous thermoregulatory glomus bodies. These bodies act as arteriovenous shunts. The triad of symptoms for glomus tumors includes cold hypersensitivity, pinpoint pain, and paroxysmal or spasmodic sharp pain. These masses also result in a bluish appearance of the fingernail bed. Pyogenic granuloma is an unlikely diagnosis, as these tumors are usually caused by penetrating injuries and foreign bodies, which cause a rapidly growing solitary lesion. Hemangioma is a congenital condition that appears in the first 4 weeks of life. Enchondromas are tumors of cartilage that commonly affect bones and joints of the hand. Schwannomas are usually asymptomatic swellings along axons of peripheral nerves.2 REFERENCES 2. Walsh JJ 4th, Eady JL. Vascular tumors. Hand Clin 2004; 20:261-8. Click here to return to the questions

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