Narrow Results

Hand tumors are not common and a swollen finger poses considerable diagnostic dilemma. We present a case of a middle-aged farmer who had presented with a painless swelling of the middle finger of the right hand without any neurovascular deficit or evidence of metastasis. An X-ray of the finger showed cortical expansion and bony erosion of the proximal phalanx. A fine needle aspiration cytological examination was inconclusive. He underwent a digit amputation in view of subsequent morbidity and chances of recurrence following local excision. Biopsy proved it to be a giant cell tumor of the proximal phalanx. Following six months of treatment he is doing well. We herein highlight an unusual tumor of the finger and its diagnostic and treatment challenges.

Clavicle has a number of peculiar features in the human skeleton. It is the only long bone lying horizontally and the first bone to begin ossification, among other features. It is also a peculiar and unusual site for an expansile lytic lesion which, if present, would raise multiple diagnostic possibilities. We present this unusual case of an expansile lytic lesion in the medial end of clavicle in an adolescent girl and the possible differential diagnoses.

It is commonly accepted that wide en bloc resection followed by reconstruction is essential in progressive lesions (Campanacci grade III) for local control of possible recurrence. However, specific grade III can be downgraded and treated with intralesional curettage to preserve better wrist function, without increasing the recurrency rates. In this report, Grade III giant cell tumor of the distal radius was successfully treated using vascularized osseous graft from the inner lip of the iliac bone in addition to downgrading strategy.

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a common neoplasm of the hand. This tumor is usually solitary. Multi focal origin of the tumor is considered unusual and very few cases of multiple GCTTS have been reported. We report a 48-year-old female patient who presented with three separate painless nodules in same index finger since three years. The two masses located on dorsal aspect, and the other one located on volar aspect. The imaging studies revealed three separated masses without any connection. We performed excisional biopsy and found multiple tumors, attached to flexor and extensor tendon. The final histopathologic diagnosis was GCTTS.

Giant cell tumour of tendon sheath (GCTTS) is considered benign, but well known for its high recurrence rate. Bone involvement of GCTTS is not uncommon and closely related to local recurrence after surgery. Radiologic findings of bone involvement are pressure erosion, circumscribed cortical destruction and degenerative arthritis. The treatment involves complete resection of tumor including bone lesion. This case presents GCTTS of young male patient with multiple bone destructions of different state, treated by complete excision of the tumor and curettage of bone lesion.

Background: One of the methods of stabilizing the stump of the ulna following resection of the distal ulna is tenodesis of the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU). Some studies have recommended stabilization, whereas others have not found it useful. Most of these studies have a mix of different pathologies and often do not have a control group. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of ECU tenodesis versus no tenodesis after resection of the distal ulna in patients with grade III giant cell tumor (GCT) of the distal ulna.

Methods: The retrospective study included 10 patients with Campanacci grade III GCT of the distal ulna treated by resection of the distal ulna between 2014 and 2019. Patients were stratified into two groups based on whether they underwent ECU tenodesis (n = 5) or no tenodesis (n = 5). The patients were assessed at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months for complications and outcomes using the Mayo wrist score (MWS) and the revised musculoskeletal tumor society score (MSTS).

Results: The MWS and the MSTS were significantly better in the ECU tenodesis group at 6 weeks. At 6 months, MWS was similar in both groups, but MSTS continued to be significantly better in ECU tenodesis group. At 12 months, both groups reported similar MWS and MSTS. There were no recurrences in either groups. One patient in the ECU tenodesis group developed ECU tendonitis that resolved with conservative treatment.

Conclusions: The outcomes of ECU tenodesis were better in the short term (6 months), although both groups reported similar outcomes at 12 months.

Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic)

The interplay between neoplastic cells and multinucleate osteoclast-like giant cells found in giant cell tumor has been considered as a model of the cellular interactions that occur during bone resorption in both primary and metastatic neoplasms. This chapter describes the tissue culture techniques of giant cell tumor of bone. The main proliferating cells maintained in culture are the spindle-shaped stromal-like mononuclear cells, which represent the neoplastic component of this tumor.