The authors report a series of 12 consecutive patients with 13 glomus tumors operated from July 1991 until February 1999. Symptoms were present for an average of 1.9 years before surgery. Women were more frequently affected. The mean age was 44 years. In 12 of the 13, the tumor was located in the distal phalanx and one patient had a glomus tumor on the dorsum of the hand. One glomus tumor was found in the right hallux of a two-year-old child. Both hands and all fingers were equally involved. One bilateral glomus tumor was associated with neurofibromatosis. All tumors were resected and histology confirmed the diagnosis. The result was good with immediate pain relief. No recurrence has been noted to date.