A Case Report of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor in an Unusual Location: The Supraclavicular Region Volume 4 - Issue 2

Fotini Ieridou*, Gabriel Tsiropoulos and Jannis Constantinidis

• Department of Otolaryngology, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Received: March 09, 2020;   Published: March 16, 2020

Corresponding author: Fotini Ieridou, Otolaryngology Department, AHEPA Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

DOI: 10.32474/SJO.2020.04.000183

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Abstract

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TSGCT) is a benign tumor that commonly presents in the upper limb joints and hands and less frequently occurs in the lower extremities. Usually they arise from synovium or tendon sheath. The aim of this article is to present an unusual location of TSGCT of the supraclavicular region in a young patient.

Keywords: Tenosynovial, giant cell tumor, supraclavicular region

Abbreviations: TSGCT: Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor, CSFIR: Colony Stimulating Factor 1 Receptor, WHO: World Health Organization

Introduction

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TSGCT) is a benign tumor that commonly presents in the upper limb joints and hands and less frequently occurs in the lower extremities. Usually they arise from synovium or tendon sheath [1,2] .TSGCT is divided into two main subtypes: the localized type that is otherwise known as giant cell tumor of tendon sheath that is well circumscribed and occurs in small joints e.g. fingers; it has a local recurrence rate of about (4- 30%) [1,2]. The second type is the diffuse TSCGT otherwise known as pigmented villonodular synovitis that is poorly circumscribed. It occurs usually in large joints and is more aggressive than type 1 TSCGT and has a recurrence rate of 18-50%. Type 2 TSCGT is cured with radical excision [2]. In this article, we report an unusual location of TSGCT of supraclavicular region, which is the second case that is presented in the literature [3].

Case Report

A 16-years old woman presented with a six-month history of slowly growing painless mass in left supraclavicular region. That was initially suspicious of a pathological lymph node, neurinoma or a hematological disorder (lymphoma). Neurological and vascular examination were unremarkable and laboratory values were within normal range. The patient underwent an ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of the tumor that showed benign large multinucleated giant cells, histiocyte and xanthoma cells positive for CD68 by immunohistochemistry. The tumor showed no necrosis. The patient underwent further investigations including magnetic resonance imaging and angiography of neck (MRI and MRA scans). The results showed a 23x17x35 mm left supraclavicular mass that distorted scalene muscles in this region with normal vascular anatomy (Figure 1). The patient had an elective operation and the tumor was totally excised from level 5b left neck region and 2 lymph nodes were also removed (Figure 2). Postoperatively, the patient had an unremarkable recovery and she was discharged three days later. The histology confirmed the diagnosis of Tenosynovial giant cell tumor of left supraclavicular region. The lymph nodes showed no pathology.

Discussion

TSGCT or giant cell tumor of tendon sheath is a rare benign lesion involving joint synovia, bursae or tendon sheath. The annual incidence of TSGCT is 1.8 per million. It may be intra-articular or extra-articular and can be classified as local or diffuse lesions [1,4]. TSGCT is more common in women and the ratio is male to female 1:1.5 with average age between (30-50yrs) [1]. TSGCT may also affect children but the incidence for both localized and diffuse types is rare [5,6]. TSGCT is a monoarticular disease affecting typically large joints e.g. the knee. The second most affected joints are the hand and wrist followed by the hip and ankle. Common symptoms described in literature include pain, stiffness and swelling of the affected joint [7]. The tumor that we present is in an unusual site and according to literature is the second one described in the supraclavicular region [3]. Malignant tumors such as synovial sarcoma and benign tumors should be kept in mind as potential differential diagnosis [8,9]. Multinucleated giant cells are a major clue for diagnosis of TSGCT. On immunohistochemistry the histiocyte cells are positive for markers like CD68, CD45 and CD163 like it occurred in our case [10]. World Health Organization (WHO) classified TSGCT as a benign tumor. There is debate however whether it is a true neoplasm as studies have supported the presence of translocation in chromosome 1p11-13 and overexpression of macrophage colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSFIR) [7,11]. Initial treatment is surgical resection and if recurrence occurs then additional radiation therapy, synovectomy and external beam radiation therapy are recommended [12].

Conclusion

TSGCT is a benign tumor of tendon sheath of slow progression. As TSGCT in our case is located in an unusual location it is difficult to diagnose it. Diagnosis requires MRI scan and histologic confirmation. Initial treatment is surgical resection of the tumor. Recurrence rate does occur in TSGCT and therefore a close follow up is recommended.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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