Paravertebral glomangioma mimicking a schwannoma

Abstract

Glomus tumors are rare benign neoplasms usually arising from soft tissues. Surgical removal seems to be the best treatment. Here, we report the case of a 52-year-old female patient referred for chronicback pain, revealing a thoracic paravertebral tumor with no osseous extension. After surgical removal,this tumor turned out to be a glomangioma. Differential diagnosis with other more frequent tumors,such as schwannoma, is particularly difficult. A review of the relevant literature will be presented. A better knowledge of the natural history of those tumors, as well as the therapeutic options available, are necessary for spinal surgeons who may encounter such presentations.