A solitary giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath of left third finger in a 23-year-old man: a case report

Abstract

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a common condition usually encountered in middle aged men, usually seen on the thumb, index, middle fingers. These benign tumors are known to reoccur. Re-occurrence can be attributed to poor surgical technique, excision of the tumor in toto is considered difficult given the close proximity of the digital nerves, blood vessels, tendons to the tumor. A magnifying loop is usually used in these cases to identify and resect the satellite lesions. In this case report, we are presenting a case of solitary GCTTS of the tendon sheath in a 23-year-old man with history of gradually progressive painless swelling over his left third finger. Musculo-skeletal ultrasound revealed a heterogeneously hypo-echoic well-defined lesion over the ventral aspect of the left third finger. Histopathology showed giant cell morphology. Patient underwent exploration, tumor excision in toto with primary suturing in our institute with an uneventful postoperative period. No loss of range of movements of the PIP, DIP joints was noted in the postoperative period. Good dissection with excision of the tumor in toto gives better outcomes.