Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the hand: A case report

Abstract

Abstract. The present study reports the case of a 58-year-old male patient who repeatedly presented with hand ulcers that were diagnosed as cellulitis. Upon histological analysis, however, an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) was diagnosed. IMTs rarely occur in the hands. The involved tissue was removed with the tumor, with the exception of the tendons and cutaneous nerve. The involved tendon sheath and epineurium were carefully resected. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient showed no signs of tumor recurrence and the hand function was good. IMTs in the hands are relatively rare, and are often easily misdiagnosed as infection. An early and correct diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. A biopsy is necessary following debridement of the infected lesion, particularly for recurrent infected lesions. The surgical approach should be conservative, in order to maintain maximum hand function.

Rare presentation of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor on a digit

“…Cutaneous IMTs are rare, with fewer than 30 reported in the literature 3,4 . Sites of predilection include the head, neck, and trunk 3‐8 . Rarely, cutaneous IMT may present in the genital region or on an extremity 6,8‐10 …”

“…Tumors confined to the lung have an approximately 2% recurrence rate while extrapulmonary lesions have a 25% recurrence rate 1,11 . Cutaneous IMTs have a lower recurrence rate and more favorable prognosis than the non‐cutaneous counterparts 6,10 …”

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor arising from soft tissues of extremities harboring a novel CLIP2‐ALK fusion

“…IMT occurs in any anatomical part of the body. However, it rarely occurs in the soft tissues of the extremities, with no more than 20 cases reported, among which the thigh is the most common place, [2][3][4][5] followed by hand, 3,6 foot, 3 articular fossa, 7 and arm. 8 The age of IMT arising from the soft tissue of the extremities is widely distributed, ranging from 6 months to 61 years old.…”