Fibrous histiocytoma of tendon sheath of the hand.

: The hand is not uncommonly afflicted by Fibrous histiocytoma/Giant Cell tumour of tendon sheath, an enigmatic and loosely-defined clinical entity only occasionally entering into the literature. The 26 cases in this clinico-pathologic review were obtained by a computerised search of histological files at the Dept. of Pathology, UCHG. Twice as many of these were female, more often in their fourth decade of life. The condition has a propensity for the long digits, more often the volar aspect and roughly evenly distibuted over each of the joints. Resection of these neoplasia is tedious due to it's propensity to grow between local anatomical structures contributing to a high recurrence rate. Interestingly it rarely figures in guesses at pre-operative diagnosis although the second commonest cause of a benign superficial hand mass after ganglion. We suggest that if this condition is suspected, referral to a specialist hand surgeon in the first instance is wise.