Glomus coccygeum | ScienceGate

Glomus Coccygeum in Surgical Pathology Specimens

Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.5858/1999-123-0905-gcisps ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 123 (10) ◽

pp. 905-908

Author(s):

Zoran Gatalica ◽

Liqiang Wang ◽

Emmanuel T. Lucio ◽

Markku Miettinen

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Single Case ◽

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Neuron Specific Enolase ◽

Diagnostic Challenge ◽

Accurate Identification ◽

Surrounding Soft Tissue ◽

Glomus Cells ◽

Pathologic Processes ◽

Glomus Coccygeum

Abstract Background.—Rarely encountered nonpathologic structures may pose diagnostic problems and cause unnecessary special investigations. More importantly, however, they may be falsely accused as culprits in unrelated pathologic processes. Glomus coccygeum is one such structure. Glomus bodies (including coccygeal glomus) consist of modified smooth muscle cells arranged in layers around small vascular channels. When found in distal extremities, they generally do not represent a diagnostic problem; however, large glomus bodies present in a pericoccygeal location (glomus coccygeum) may cause significant problems for a surgical pathologist unfamiliar with this structure. Design.—We reviewed 37 coccygeal bones removed during rectal resection for carcinoma (rectal and uterine) and for various other reasons, among which was a single case of coccygodynia. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations were performed in selected cases. Results.—Sharply circumscribed glomus bodies composed of various proportions of glomus cells without atypia or pleomorphism and without expansile growth or infiltration of surrounding soft tissue or bone were identified in 50% of cases. Size varied significantly (maximum 4 mm), but paradoxically the smallest glomus body (less than 1 mm) was found in the case of coccygodynia. Glomus coccygeum posed a significant diagnostic challenge to the pathologists involved in these cases, as the retrospective review found that it was diagnosed correctly in only 3 cases. Conclusions.—Glomus coccygeum is a nonpathologic structure that exhibits significant variation in size and proportion of the constitutive elements. Immunohistochemical demonstration of smooth muscle actin and neuron-specific enolase in glomus cells may be beneficial for accurate identification of this organelle.

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Paraganglioma of the Filum Terminale

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/s031716710002463x ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 257-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Réal Lagacé ◽

Claude Delage ◽

François Gagné

Keyword(s):

Clinical Data ◽

Cell Types ◽

Vascular Network ◽

Filum Terminale ◽

Neurosecretory Granules ◽

Electron Microscopic ◽

Dark Cells ◽

Microscopic Studies ◽

Glomus Coccygeum

SUMMARY:An unusual tumor arising in the filum terminale is described. The clinical data revealed an extensive and slowly growing lesion. The histologic picture was characterized by a proliferation of lobules and sheets of regular cells within a rich vascular network. Electron microscopic studies showed light and dark cells with sustentacular extensions. Typical neurosecretory granules were obsen'ed in both cell types, establishing the diagnosis of para-ganglioma. The glomus coccygeum could be the site of this tumor.

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An Unusual Normal Finding in Coccygectomy Specimens

International Journal of Surgical Pathology ◽

10.1177/1066896917714891 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (8) ◽

pp. 700-701

Author(s):

Ivy John ◽

Uma N. M. Rao

Keyword(s):

Normal Finding ◽

Glomus Coccygeum

Glomus coccygeum is a prominent or hyperplastic glomus structure that is located at the ventral tip of the coccyx, which frequently causes concern to pathologists that are unfamiliar with this entity.

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