Glomus tumour--the report of a case in an adult Nigerian.

Background: Glomus tumour, a relatively common lesion in Caucasians is reported to be rare in blacks.

Methods: A case of glomus tumour is reported in an adult male Nigerian to highlight its distinctive clinical presentation and the literature reviewed.

Results: A 60-year old man presented with a painful skin nodule on the ventral surface of his right forearm. The pain was far in excess of the size of the lesion. There was however no relief from previous medications. Following complete excision of the lesion, pain relief was dramatic. Histopathological examination of the lesion showed sheets of round to polyhedral glomus cells and elongated endothelium lined vascular channels diagnostic of glomus tumour.

Conclusions: Severe pain is a very important feature of glomus tumour of the skin. This is relieved by complete excision of the lesion.