Glomus tumor physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jesus Rosario Hernandez, M.D. [2]Soujanya Thummathati, MBBS [3]

Patients with glomus tumor usually appear well. Physical examination of patients with glomus tumor is usually remarkable for small (usually less than 2cm), blue or red palpable nodules which are usually distributed in the acral regions (subungual most common) and nail deformities.

• Physical examination of patients with a glomus tumor is usually remarkable for the following findings:^[1]
  • Nail deformity
  • Blue-red discoloration
  • Pink or purple vascular papule or nodule
  • Tenderness
• Physical examination of patients with glomus tumors is usually remarkable for the following:^[2][3]