Supraclavicular glomus tumor, 20 year history of undiagnosed shoulder pain: a case report

A long-standing case of severe dysesthesia due to a supraclavicular glomus tumor is presented. Chronic pain caused by a subcutaneous glomus (non-chemo dectoma) tumor is rare and usually misdiagnosed. The supraclavicular locati on, presentation, and coincidence of trauma history are unique in this case . A 62-year-old male complained of 20 years of intractable right shoulder a nd supraclavicular region pain, which started 6 months after a fall. The pa in was unrelieved by repeated and extensive physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, local steroid injections, and two shoulder operations. The ca use of the condition remained undiagnosed and obscure. Local surgical explo ration revealed a subcutaneous grayish mass with pathologically proven glom us tumor. immediate alleviation of the pain and tenderness followed complet e resection of the mass. The patient remained free of pain at a 2-year foll ow-up. Subcutaneous glomus (non-chemodectoma) tumors can occur in unusual s ites, and should be considered in chronic regional pain syndromes. Immediat e cure is generally achieved by local resection. Pertinent literature is re viewed. (C) 1999 international Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.