Fibroma of tendon sheath of the hand: a series of 20 patients with 23 tumours

Abstract

Fibroma of tendon sheath is an uncommon fibrous tumour that has a predilection for the hand. Large series from Histopathological Units report a local recurrence rate of 24% after surgical excision. In the hand/orthopaedic surgery literature, fibroma of tendon sheath was generally reported as isolated case reports with unusual presentations, such as triggering and carpal tunnel syndrome. The current article reports on a series of 23 tumours of the hands of 20 patients. These were all adults (mean age of 36 years) with a male to female ratio of 3:1. The thumb and index were the most common sites. A slow-growing painless mass was the clinical presentation in every case. Total surgical excision was ensured by excision of part of flexor sheath/palmar fascia to which the tumour was attached. Diagnosis was confirmed by the classic histological features of fibroma of tendon sheath. There were no recurrences at final follow-up 2–5 years after surgery.