Unmasking the Silent Glomus Tumor of the Index Finger—A Case Report and Literature Review

Glomus tumors are rare, benign neoplasms of the finger, notorious for causing debilitating pain and significant diagnostic delays. We present the case of a 62-year-old female with a 15-year history of chronic, severe left index finger pain that was exacerbated by cold and pressure. Unusually, her pain radiated proximally to the shoulder, which contributed to a prolonged misdiagnosis. Despite a previously inconclusive MRI, a clinical diagnosis was made based on pathognomonic historical features. Surgical excision of a 1-mm subungual tumor provided immediate and complete symptomatic relief, with histopathology confirming the diagnosis of a glomus tumor. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by glomus tumors, especially with atypical presentations such as referred pain. It underscores the primacy of clinical acumen over imaging in certain contexts and reinforces that surgical excision is curative, emphasizing the need for heightened clinical suspicion to prevent years of patient suffering.