Slowly growing solitary neurofibroma of the thumb: A case report

RATIONALE: Neurofibromas can develop as part of neurofibromatosis or as a solitary tumor. Although solitary neurofibromas generally grow slowly, they rarely grow for more than 10 years, and such tumors have not been described in the hand. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 60-year-old woman presented with a mass on the dorsum of the proximal phalanx of the right thumb that had been enlarging since more than a decade. DIAGNOSES: Preoperative imaging revealed a moderately defined soft tissue mass, which measured 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm × 0.7 cm, with no bone and joint abnormalities on the right thumb. The final diagnosis of the tumor was solitary neurofibroma without evidence of neurofibromatosis. INTERVENTION: En bloc resection of the tumor was performed through a longitudinal skin incision. OUTCOMES: After surgery, the patient had no complaints of pain but had a temporary tingling sensation. After 14 months of follow-up, no signs of recurrence of the tumor were observed and she was highly satisfied with the results of the surgery. LESSONS: Solitary neurofibroma is quite rare, especially one in the hand. However, in dealing with soft tissue tumors of the hand, particularly those with neurologic symptoms, neurofibroma should be included in the differential diagnosis.