Ewing sarcoma of the first metacarpal with a 9-year follow-up: case report

Wide Resection of Primary Malignant Bone Tumors of the Hand in Children and Reconstruction Using Nonvascularized Fibular Bone Graft: Case Series and Literature Review

PURPOSE

Primary malignant bone tumors of the hand are rare in children. Resection and reconstruction of the digit are challenging and have been described in case reports. This retrospective study describes the functional and oncologic outcomes of resection and reconstruction using a nonvascularized fibular bone graft in a cohort of children.

METHODS

A total of 5 children were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 7.6 years (range, 1.6-12 years). Histologic diagnosis showed Ewing sarcoma in 3 and osteosarcoma in 2 patients. Four tumors were located in the metacarpal bones of the fingers, and 1 was located in the thumb. Four patients were treated with chemotherapy. All the patients were treated with wide resection and a cement spacer. This was followed by second stage reconstruction using a nonvascularized fibular bone graft. In tumors of the fingers, carpometacarpal joint fusion with a neighboring carpal bone was performed, whereas a pseudoarthrosis was created between the graft and the base of the proximal phalanx. In the thumb's case, the opposite was done, with fusion at the metacarpophalangeal joint and a pseudoarthrosis at the carpometacarpal joint.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up duration was 5.5 years (range, 2-9 years). Surgical margins were negative in all the patients. At their latest follow-up visit, none of the patients developed systemic or local recurrence. Two complications required a revision surgery, one due to graft subluxation and the other due to nonunion. At their final follow-up examination, the mean total arc of movement was 80° (range, 60°-100°), and all the patients were able to resume their grasping and writing capabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

The resection and reconstruction of primary malignant bone tumors of the metacarpals using a nonvascularized fibular bone graft in children can preserve the cosmesis and function of the digit without jeopardizing oncologic outcomes.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic V.

Ewing Sarcoma in an Infant Metacarpal

We describe a case of Ewing sarcoma in the metacarpal of a 5-month-old male. After pain, erythema, and swelling of the hand failed to resolve with antibiotics, radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging raised suspicion for a neoplastic condition. Open biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma and treatment with chemotherapy and surgical resection was initiated. Ewing sarcoma of the hand in a patient this young is an exceedingly rare diagnosis, which highlights the importance of a broad differential diagnosis when the treatments for more common conditions fail.

Ewing Sarcoma in the Fifth Metacarpal of an Adult Woman: A Case Report

CASE

Atypical presentations of Ewing sarcoma (ES) can lead to misdiagnosis and delays in treatment. We present a rare case of ES in the hand of an adult woman who underwent multiple interventions prior to referral to our institution. At 22 months after definitive treatment, the patient remained pleased with the result and had no evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, ES of the hand in an adult woman has not yet been reported in the literature, and a lack of recognition of this condition might be secondary to the absence of features traditionally associated with malignant bone neoplasms. A broader differential diagnosis after intervention failures offers the opportunity for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Thumb Reconstruction with Arthrodesis to the Second Metacarpal following Sarcoma Excision

Primary sarcomas of the thumb metacarpal are rare malignant lesions. Surgical treatment involves amputation versus tumor resection with thumb reconstruction. If complete tumor resection is possible, thumb preservation may be considered, as the thumb is vital to hand function. Following tumor resection, previous reports have described graft reconstruction with fusion to the trapezium or scaphoid. We present two cases of sarcoma necessitating resection of the thumb metacarpal that were reconstructed with an arthrodesis of the proximal phalanx to the second metacarpal shaft. Arthrodesis to the second metacarpal allows robust bony contact for fusion as well as improved resting position of the thumb. At 2- and 4-year follow-up, both patients have a stable, pain-free thumb without evidence of local recurrence.