Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath of the Hand: Experience With Forty-Seven Cases

Background: Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is the most common benign tumor of the hand following the ganglion cyst. It is more prevalent in women in third through fifth decades of life. Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics as well as the rate of recurrence of GCTTS in an Iranian population. Patients and Methods: Medical records of 47 patients with GCTTS were reviewed. Data on demographic characteristics as well as clinical and intraoperative findings were collected. Plain X-rays, magnetic resonance, and ultrasonographic images were observed. Patients were asked about the recurrence of the GCTTS after mean interval of 4.9 ± 2.6 years. Results: Females were predominantly involved (70.2%). Patients aged 38.5 ± 16.2 years at the time of surgery. The middle finger was the most common site of the lesion (27.6%) followed by index finger (25.5%) and thumb (21.3%). The volume of the lesions averaged 3.9 ± 5.5 cm3. The GCTTS had invaded the skin (1 patient), bone (1 patient), tendon pulley (6 patients), tendon (4 patients), and digital nerve (2 patients). Osseous erosion was found in two patients. After exact excision, the tumor recurred in four patients (8.5%). None of the variables affected the risk of recurrence. Conclusions: The characteristics of our patients were greatly similar to the previous studies. Exact and complete excision of the lesion under magnification was the keystone of decreased rate of GCTTS recurrence