Our Summary

The paper discusses a rare type of benign (non-cancerous) tumor called angioleiomyoma, which is a growth that arises from smooth muscle tissue. This type of tumor is found in less than 1% of upper limb soft tissue tumors. The case focuses on a 54-year-old man who had a growing, non-injury-related lump on the palm side of his ring and little finger base. A biopsy was conducted to diagnose the lump. During surgery, the lump was found to be closely connected to the radial digital artery, a blood vessel in the finger. The lump couldn’t be removed entirely without cutting this artery. After removing the lump, the ends of the artery were surgically connected. Ten months after surgery, the patient’s hand was completely functional, with no signs of cold intolerance or nerve-related issues in the affected area. The paper suggests that carefully removing the tumor while also cutting and repairing the digital artery could be a potential treatment option for angioleiomyoma of the digital artery.

FAQs

  1. What is angioleiomyoma and how common is it in the upper limb?
  2. What was the treatment process for the 54-year-old male in the case report with angioleiomyoma?
  3. What were the results of the treatment for the angioleiomyoma in this case report?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hand surgery is to follow the post-operative instructions carefully, including keeping the hand elevated, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and function of the hand. It is also important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to the doctor promptly.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended hand surgery include those with:

  1. Tumors or growths on the hand or fingers, such as angioleiomyoma
  2. Ganglion cysts
  3. Carpal tunnel syndrome
  4. Trigger finger
  5. Dupuytren’s contracture
  6. Arthritis in the hand or fingers
  7. Nerve injuries or compression
  8. Fractures or dislocations in the hand or fingers
  9. Tendon injuries or conditions
  10. Congenital hand abnormalities or deformities.

Timeline

  • Patient notices a progressively enlarging atraumatic lesion along the palmar side of the base of the ring and little finger
  • Consults with a healthcare provider who recommends a biopsy to determine the diagnosis
  • Biopsy confirms the presence of an angioleiomyoma
  • Patient undergoes hand surgery to excise the tumour, which is found to be intimately related to the radial digital artery
  • Digital artery is transected during the surgery, and the ends are anastomosed
  • Patient undergoes post-operative rehabilitation and follow-up appointments
  • At 10-month follow-up, the hand is fully functional without any cold-intolerance or neurological deficit along the distribution of the digital nerve.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the specific diagnosis of my hand tumor?
  2. What are the treatment options available for my condition?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with hand surgery?
  4. How long is the recovery time after hand surgery?
  5. Will I need physical therapy or rehabilitation after the surgery?
  6. What are the chances of the tumor recurring after surgery?
  7. Will there be any limitations in hand function after the surgery?
  8. What is the success rate of this type of surgery for my condition?
  9. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that I should consider?
  10. How frequently will I need follow-up appointments after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Amrutiya PA, Brown OS, Papanikos E, Mallina R. Journal: J Hand Surg Asian Pac Vol. 2023 Oct;28(5):614-618. doi: 10.1142/S2424835523720207. Epub 2023 Oct 25. PMID: 37881819