Change of Symptom of Giant Cell Tumor at Tendon Sheath due to Flame Burn: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath is benign soft tissue tumor and recurrence rate is 7~40%. It is second most common tumor of the hand after ganglion cyst. It is generally non-tender mass and size of it is varied. We experienced the case that asymptomatic giant cell tumor of tendon sheath changed to symptomatic mass with pain after flame burn injury and then we report about this case. METHODS: 49 years old man was hospitalized because of flame burn with TBSA 30% involving scalp, face, both arm, right hand. About 30 days after burn injury, he complained about palpable tender mass at volar side of right hand. In past medical history, he had recognized the slow-growing palpable mass without pain from about 10 years ago. We planed excision and biopsy about the mass. Intraoperatively we found mass that was attached to flexor tendon sheath and the size of mass was about 5x7x4 cm3. RESULTS: The mass was defined as giant cell tumor of tendon sheath in result of biopsy. After surgery, there was no any specific symptom like pain, and in follow-up after about 5 months, there was no recurrence and motor function and sensory was normal. CONCLUSION: Generally giant cell tumor of tendon sheath is common benign tumor of hand and clinically the treatment is surgical excision because of discomfort from enlarged palpable mass rather than pain. In this case, we think inflammatory reaction of tumor itself or inflammation of soft tissue around tumor due to flame burn is cause of emerged pain of giant cell tumor.