Atypical presentation of a glomus tumor in the rearfoot: A case report

Glomus tumors are rare and benign vascular soft-tissue masses commonly found subungually in the foot. A glomus tumor typically manifests with a classic triad of pain, point tenderness, and cold sensitivity. This case report describes an atypical presentation of a glomus tumor in the soft tissue of the rearfoot in a 77-year-old man in the setting of urosepsis. The mass had enlarged progressively for 6 months. Originally misdiagnosed as a hemangioma based on magnetic resonance imaging and clinical appearance, an excisional biopsy was performed. The lesion was subsequently diagnosed histopathologically as a glomus tumor. This article discusses the statistics of glomus tumor and discusses the importance of the need to recognize the symptoms and clinical findings of both typical and atypical presentation of this abnormality in differentiation and differential treatment and risk management of benign and malignant soft-tissue masses.