Tumor of Hallux: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Clinical Image

Austin J Orthopade & Rheumatol. 2023; 10(2): 1119.

Tumor of Hallux: A Case Report and Review of Literature

MR El Galiou*; Y Houass; J Mekkaoui; M Boufettal; RA Bassir; MO Lamrani; M Kharmaz; MS Berrada

Orthopedic Surgery Department of Ibn Sina Hospital, University Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco

*Corresponding author: Mohamed Rida El Galiou Orthopedic Surgery Department of Ibn Sina Hospital, University Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco. Email: medrida.elgaliou@gmail.com

Received: June 26, 2023 Accepted: July 28, 2023 Published: August 05, 2023

Abstract

Glomus tumors are rare and benign, arising from a neuromyoarteriel glomus body. If the digital location is well known in surgery of the hand, the extradigitales locations suffer from a misunderstanding ending in diagnostic and therapeutic errors. We report a new case of tumor glomique of the hallux, and through a review of the literature, we would try to draw the attention towards these atypical location.

Keywords: Glomus; Tumor; Hallux

Introduction

Glomus tumors are benign and rare tumors that develop from the neuromyoarterial glomus of arteriovenous anastomoses. They mainly affect the digital extremities, but extra-digital localizations are not rare but above all unknown, which is responsible for the delay in their diagnosis and their management. The aim of our work is to report a new case of hallux glomus tumor and to draw attention to this unusual location.

Clinical Case

This is a 41 year-old patient, with no particular pathological history, who has been presenting for 3 years with intermittent pain at the base of the left big toe, coinciding with trauma to the same toe. We received the patient who consulted several times given the increase in pain intensity and the lack of improvement under symptomatic treatment. The clinical examination of this patient showed a discoloration of the base of the nail which was very painful on palpation. The osteoarticular examination of the left hallux was unremarkable. The standard X-ray and the biological assessment were normal. The MRI objectified a hyper signal around the nail bed suggesting the possibility of a glomus tumor (Figure 1). A lateral subungual excision was performed and the pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of glomus tumor. The postoperative course was simple, the patient had immediate pain relief and the clinical examination of the patient after a follow-up 2 years did not show any recurrence of symptoms.

Figure 1: MRI aspect showing a hyper signal around the nail bed.


    


    

    


    


    Figure 1: MRI aspect showing a hyper signal around the nail bed.

Discussion

Glomus tumors are rare and benign, representing about 1 to 5% of all soft tissue tumors [1]. These are tumors that affect the adult subject, the average age is 40 years, it is rare before 20 years [2]. While digital localization is well known in hand surgery [3], atypical localizations [4-8], like our case in the hallux, are often overlooked, leading to diagnostic and therapeutic errors. The clinical symptomatology associates a classic triad with severe pain, sore spot and intolerance to cold. What also characterizes the symptomatology is the contrast between the intensity of the subjective signs and the poverty of the objective signs. Rarely are the cases where there is a traumatic history as in our case [9]. There is no specific imaging allowing diagnostic confirmation, however ultrasound, despite its low specificity, helps to locate the lesion [10]. MRI remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of glomus tumours, it specifies the exact site of the lesion and its relationship with the neighboring structures [11-13]. Its treatment is always surgical, it consists of surgical excision which leads to a rapid disappearance of the pain. Recurrences are rare but possible, they are always early and the fact of incomplete excision, hence the recommendation of some authors [13-15] to excise more than the apparent limits of the tumour.

Conclusion

Glomus tumors are rare but not exceptional. They can sit wherever the glomus exists. Faced with any pain with or without a palpable mass, without obvious etiology, the diagnosis of glomus tumor should be considered.

References

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Citation: MR El Galiou, Y Houass, J Mekkaoui, M Boufettal, RA Bassir, et al. Tumor of Hallux: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Austin J Orthopade & Rheumatol. 2023; 10(2): 1119.