Giant cell tumor tendon sheath at inguinal region masquerading as enlarged lymph node

Abstract

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) is a benign tumor and is the second most common tumor of the hand after ganglion cysts. It is a slow-growing benign lesion of the soft tissues. The etiology of GCTTS is not clear. Although GCTTS most commonly presents in a digit of the hand, it may also present in the palm, wrist, foot, knee, ankle, elbow, or hip. Here, we present a rare case of GCTTS originating at the inguinal region, which has not been previously reported. A 52-year-old male presented with a 2 cm × 1 cm swelling at the right inguinal region. The clinical impression was inguinal lymph node enlargement. Ultrasonography (USG) showed the presence of large inguinal lymph node. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) showed the features suggestive of giant cell lesion, possibly GCTTS. Repeat ultrasound revealed a large oblong-shaped hypoechoic lesion with mild internal vascularity in the right inguinal region above the external oblique aponeurosis, suggestive of aponeurotic giant cell tumor. Histopathology was confirmatory. Here, we report this case to highlight the role of FNAC in diagnosing GCTTS at a rare site, i.e., inguinal region. Due to its location at inguinal region, along with clinical suspicion of tubercular lymphadenitis and USG findings showing large inguinal lymph node in the right inguinal area, it needs to be differentiated from other causes of lymph node enlargement. It would be prudent to state that FNAC along with radiology can help reach the final diagnosis.

Keywords

• giant cell tumor
• inguinal region
• masquerading lymph node
• tendon sheath