Title: Three zones of purple, red and white patch: A characteristic dermoscopic sign for glomus tumor

Biography:

Woo-Haing Shim completed his education from Pusan national university. He completed his master’s degree in dermatology from Pusan national university in the academic year 2008-2009. He joined Pusan national university hospital as a resident in the year 2009. Then he served as an International Cooperation doctor at Korea international cooperation agency. He currently serves as a fellow at Pusan national university yangsan hospital.

Abstract

Background: Despite characteristic clinical features of glomus tumor, dermatologists can meet diagnostic difficulty in some cases with glomus tumor.

Objective: To investigate clinical features and dermoscopic findings of glomus tumors.

Method: For 22 cases of glomus tumors, sex, age of initial visit, disease duration, site of lesion, size, associated symptoms and nail deformities and dermoscopic findings were investigated.

Results: Mean age of initial visit and disease duration was 43.4±13.4 years old and 5.6±5.1 years, respectively (19 female, 3 male). Both 1^st Fingers (9, 40.9%) were most common involved site. Nail lunula (12.54.5%) was more frequently involved than proximal nail fold (6, 27.3%) or nail bed (4, 18.2%). 15 cases were identifiable for size and mean size was 6.0±1.9 mm. There were associated symptoms such as pain (16, 72.7%), tenderness (7, 31.8%) and cold intolerance (2, 9.1%). Onychoschizia (13, 59.1%), longitudinal ridging (12, 54.5%) and distal nail notching (8, 36.4%) were commonly associated nail changes. On dermoscopic examination, whitish patch (16, 72.7%), purplish patch (15, 68.2%), erythematous patch (13, 59.1%) and irregular linear vessel (1, 4.5%) were observed. In 9 cases (40.9%), characteristic three zones consisting of central purplish patch, middle erythematous patch and peripheral whitish patch were observed.

Conclusion: Characteristic dermoscopic findings of this study can help making more accurate diagnosis and performing appropriated treatment in glomus tumors.