Glomus tumors are benign neoplasms arising from the glomus body. Although they are uncommon in the overall spectrum of soft-tissue tumors, they are relatively recognizable at the fingertip, particularly in the subungual region. Their classic pain triad (paroxysmal pain, point tenderness, and cold sensitivity) provides an important diagnostic clue1. Literature reviews suggest that glomus tumors account for only a small proportion of hand tumors, but they often lead to repeated medical visits because of severe pain. However, the lesions are usually only a few millimeters in size, and local external signs are not always typical; they may therefore be mistaken for periungual inflammation, neurogenic pain, or tendon-sheath/cystic lesions, resulting in misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay1. Classic physical examinations, such as Love's pin test, the Hildreth test, and the cold sensitivity test, are useful for suggesting the diagnosis. However, when signs are atypical, or the lesion is located outside the classic subungual region, their positivity and interpretability may decrease; targeted imaging and pathological confirmation are still required to complete the diagnostic pathway1. In addition, glomus tumors can also occur outside the subungual region of the finger (extradigital/atypical locations), where clinical manifestations are more likely to be misinterpreted; greater awareness of these subtypes and their imaging localization is therefore needed2.
In terms of imaging, high-frequency ultrasonography can rapidly identify superficial millimeter-sized nodules in the outpatient setting, allow dynamic correlation with the tender point, and evaluate vascularity. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is more useful for delineating lesion borders, enhancement patterns, and anatomical relationships with the nail bed, distal phalanx, and neurovascular bundles. The combination of both modalities can improve preoperative localization certainty and guide the choice of surgical approach3,4,5. Rare complications of glomus tumors, such as rupture or secondary infection, have also been reported, indicating that persistent pain or local abnormalities should be recognized early and managed appropriately4,5,6.
Case presentation:
A 23-year-old woman presented in 2018 with a 2-year history of localized stabbing pain and a small palpable mass in the pulp of the distal phalanx of the left ring finger. Ultrasonography showed a 4.3 × 2.5 mm hypoechoic subcutaneous nodule, and contrast-enhanced MRI demonstrated a 3.2 × 3.5 mm homogeneously enhancing lesion. The same MRI examination also revealed a separate enhancing nodule measuring approximately 8 × 4 mm in the distal phalanx of the left index finger (Figure 1); however, the patient had no pain or other symptoms in the index finger at that time. The symptomatic ring-finger lesion was completely excised on July 23, 2018 (Figure 2), and histopathological examination confirmed a glomus tumor.
Approximately 7 years later, the patient developed localized stabbing pain in the distal left index finger. Repeat MRI demonstrated a lesion in the same anatomical region as the asymptomatic index-finger lesion identified in 2018. On December 2, 2025 (Figure 3), the lesion was excised through a nail-bed approach, and histopathological examination again confirmed a glomus tumor (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Retrospective comparison of the 2018 and 2025 imaging indicated that the surgically treated index-finger lesion corresponded to the lesion already visible in 2018. The findings therefore supported synchronous glomus tumors in different fingers, with delayed symptomatic presentation of the index-finger lesion. At approximately 2 weeks after surgery, the incision had healed well without infection or wound complications, sensation and range of motion were preserved, and the preoperative focal pain had resolved.
Diagnosis, Assessment, and Plan:
At the first presentation, high-frequency ultrasonography showed a hypoechoic subcutaneous nodule measuring approximately 4.3 mm × 2.5 mm in the left ring finger, with a small amount of internal blood-flow signal. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed a small, round subcutaneous lesion measuring approximately 3.2 mm × 3.5 mm at the distal phalanx of the left ring finger, with obvious homogeneous enhancement. MRI also suggested a small nodular enhancing lesion measuring approximately 8 mm × 4 mm beneath the skin of the distal phalanx of the left index finger; however, the patient’s main symptoms were located in the left ring finger. Complete excision of the symptomatic ring-finger lesion and pathological examination were planned.
On November 14, 2025, repeat plain and contrast-enhanced MRI of the left hand showed a nodule at the distal phalanx of the left index finger, suggesting a possible glomus tumor. In view of the new localized pain, imaging findings, involvement of a different finger and anatomical layer, in view of the previous MRI finding in the same anatomical region of the left index finger in 2018, the 2025 lesion was considered a previously existing but clinically asymptomatic lesion that had subsequently become symptomatic, rather than a newly developed primary tumor or a recurrence of the ring-finger lesion.