Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor masked as de Quervain Tenosynovitis

Keywords:

Hand, de Quervain, tenosynovial giant cell tumor


Published online: Mar 24 2026

https://doi.org/10.52628/91.4.13974

Q. DIEGENANT1, R. SCIOT2, I. DEGREEF3

1 Institute of Orthopaedic research and Training IORT, Leuven University Hospitals, Orthopaedic Department – Hand Unit, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
2 Leuven University Hospitals, Pathology Department, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
3 Leuven University Hospitals, Orthopaedic Department – Hand Unit, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium

Abstract

We present a patient who initially presented with clinical symptoms consistent with de Quervain tenosynovitis, resistant to conservative treatment. MRI revealed a cystic mass surrounding the radial styloid within the first extensor compartment (abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB)), associated with scaphotrapezoid (STT) arthritis. However, upon surgical exploration, the lesion was identified as a localized tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TSGCT), which had caused erosion of the trapezium bone and compressed the EPB tendon. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with functional improvement and no recurrence. This exceptional case highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis and the potential for atypical presentations of benign tumors.

Informed consent was obtained from the patient after surgery to use her case details in publication for educational and research purposes.

ActaOrthopBelg-91-4-Cover

About this issue

Volume 91, issue 4.

Winter 2025.

Open access journal

This is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access.