Large malignant granular cell tumor with suprascapular nerve and brachial plexus invasion: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE: Malignant granular cell tumor is a kind of rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor that commonly occurs in lower extremity, trunk, and peritoneal cavity. Huge malignant granular cell tumor (MGCT) with suprascapular nerve and brachial plexus invasion was extremely rare. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a special case of a 48-year-old orthopedist who suffered from MGCT. The orthopedist had regarded that he suffered from scapulohumeral periarthritis. DIAGNOSES: The disease was noticed until a painless mass on his right neck was discovered 9 months later. MRI result confirmed a large occupying in axillary fossa, supraclavicular and infraclavicular region. INTERVENTIONS: During the operation, a tumor measuring 22 × 13 × 6 cm with suprascapular nerve and brachial plexus invasion was identified. The tumor was fractional resected carefully to maintain the integrity of nerves and vessels. Lymph nodes were simultaneously resected. OUTCOMES: The motor function and sensation of the upper extremity were same to that of preoperation. The postoperative histological diagnosis was MGCT. At a 12-month follow-up, there was no recurrence of the tumor showed by MRI. LESSONS: This study presents a rare case of large MGCT with suprascapular nerve and brachial plexus invasion that was successfully managed by surgery.