Giant hand lipoma: Case report of a rare localization of a common type of tumor

Abstract

Introduction: A lipoma is a benign tumor of the adipose tissue and the most common tumor of the subcutaneous tissue which is most commonly found on the trunk. It appears as a round or oval subcutaneous mass of soft consistency, which is not attached to the skin or to the deeper tissues. Its growth can cause compressive symptoms, the most common being pain and paresthesia. Case report: Considering the fact that lipomas very rarely occur in the hand and foot, in this paper we present a case of a large lipoma in the hand of a 70-year-old female patient, with a subcutaneous tumor, in the area of the ulnar side of the left palm, and the pain and tingling in the fourth and fifth finger. Longitudinal incision on the medial side of the palm and transversal incision up to the proximal palmar crease were performed under general endotracheal anesthesia. The extirpated tumor was, due to its dimensions (5.6 x 3.4 x 2.5 cm), categorized as a giant hand lipoma. A histopat- hological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma. Conclusion: A hand lipoma requires surgical tre- atment exclusively, involving a qualified hand sur- geon, which is important because of the high functio- nal and aesthetic importance of the hand.