A CASE OF GLOMUS TUMOR OF THE LUNG

We report a case of primary pulmonary glomus tumor. A 71-year-old man was seen at the hospital because of epigastralgia in July 1997. Endoscopic examination revealed gastritis. Symptomatic remision was attained by administration of an antiacid. A plain chest film showed an abnormal shadow in the left lower lung. A CT scan of the chest revealed a mass with the diameter of 2cm in the left lower lobe (S10). The cytology by a bronchoscopy was negative, and a thoracotomy was performed in October. Because intraoperative swift pathology revealed no malignancy, a partial resection of the left lower lobe was performed. On microscopic examination, both glomus tumor and carcinoid were probable, but electron microscopic and immunohistochemical findings were characteristics of smooth muscle. It is thought that glomus tumor is the most probable diagnosis. In our knowledge, only eight cases of primary pulmonary glomus tumor have been reported in the world. This very rare case is presented with some bibliographical comments.