Soft Tissue Benign Hand Masses in the First Web Space: A Retrospective Case Series.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-19-2023

Publication Title

Cureus

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hand masses are fairly common. While most of these masses are either ganglion cysts or benign tumors, masses in the first web space are not rare, and they may in fact represent a variety of lesions. These include both benign and malignant tumors, metastases, or congenital and anomalous structures, and may involve nerves, vascular structures, connective tissue, and joints.

METHODS: In this retrospective case series, data on 12 cases of first dorsal web space hand mass treated at our center over a period of five years were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS: Twelve consecutive patients presenting with a first dorsal web space hand mass over a period of five years were reviewed. This represented a group of nine females and three males, with a mean age of 53 years (range = 16-70 years). Seven patients had a mass on the right side and five on the left side. The surgical approach to resect the mass in all 12 patients was dorsal. The most common diagnosis was ganglion cyst (50%), followed by lipoma (25%) and aneurysm (16.6%). There was one case of eccrine spiradenoma.

CONCLUSION: First dorsal web space hand masses can encompass multiple different pathologies, and the first web space has an intricate anatomy. Both of these factors mandate a careful approach that includes meticulous preoperative planning with appropriate advanced imaging studies, which helps to make the surgical procedure more efficient and accurate.

Volume

15

Issue

4

First Page

e37847

DOI

10.7759/cureus.37847

ISSN

2168-8184

PubMed ID

37213983

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