Giant-cell tumour of the tendon sheath

Abstract

An unusual case of giant-cell tumours of the tendon sheath (syn. Pigmented villonodular tecosynovitis or fibrous xanthoma) of a long thumb flexor is presented. The unusual features are : two distinctly different tumours of almost similar size and shape a`rising from the tendon sheath at its either ends but with a segment of normal tendon sheath in between and presence of ready malignant changes in the distal tumour with a benign proximal one, confirmed microscopically. Lastly, radiograph showed definite bony involvement in the proximal phalanx of the thumb. On extensive review of the literature, I found reports of rare presentation of malignant changes and bony erosion, but none had these various features.