Giant cell tumor of tendon sheath developing at the site of tendon laceration.

A 32-year-old man suffered sharp trauma to the volar aspect of the wrist. A lacerated tendon found on exploration had been left unrepaired and the skin closed primarily. A few months later the patient presented with a nodule at the same site. Reoperation demonstrated a 2 X 1 cm nodule bridging the gap between the stumps of the previously severed palmaris longus tendon. Pathologic examination of the nodule revealed the typical microscopic appearance of giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (GCTTS) in continuity with the lacerated tendon. The literature regarding the relationship of trauma to the development of GCTTS presents interesting controversy about whether this lesion is reparative or neoplastic.