30.12.2012 Views

SRPS PS - Plastic Surgery Internal

SRPS PS - Plastic Surgery Internal

SRPS PS - Plastic Surgery Internal

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

<strong>SR<strong>PS</strong></strong> Volume 10, Issue 25, 2009<br />

Malignant degeneration has not been reported.<br />

Epidermal Inclusion Cysts<br />

Epidermal inclusion cysts commonly occur on the<br />

palmar surface of the hand or digits of patients whose<br />

work or leisure activities predispose them to<br />

penetrating hand injuries. The time from the traumatic<br />

incident to cyst development varies from months to<br />

years. Clinically, the lesions are firm, spherical, and<br />

nontender. The cyst wall consists of squamous<br />

epithelium with laminated keratin, and the cyst material<br />

contains protein, cholesterol, fat, and fatty acids.<br />

Spontaneous rupture is common, but the lesion<br />

often persists unless the cyst lining, contents, and<br />

overlying puckered skin are surgically removed. Local<br />

complications include infections and bone erosion.<br />

Malignant Skin Tumors<br />

Malignant tumors of the skin of the hand make up a<br />

very small percentage of upper extremity neoplasms226- 228 and are primarily squamous cell carcinomas<br />

(SCC). 229–232 SCC predominate among people with fair<br />

skin and light hair color. The usual origin of SCC is<br />

ionizing solar radiation. Other less common causes of<br />

SCC are previous irradiation, 233 burn scars, exposure to<br />

arsenic compounds, and inherited genetic disorders. 234<br />

The dorsum of the hand, with the highest actinic<br />

exposure, is the most common site for SCC, although<br />

the tumor has been reported to also occur on the<br />

palms235 and subungually. 236–239 Appropriate treatment<br />

consists of a 4-mm margin for tumors with a diameter<br />

of less than 2 cm. When the size of the tumor exceeds<br />

those dimensions, a margin of 6 mm is necessary. 240 If<br />

evidence exists of nodal metastasis or local recurrence,<br />

axillary lymphadenectomy is recommended. The role<br />

of sentinel node biopsy in cases of SCC is not yet<br />

defined in the literature. SCC of the hand is an<br />

aggressive tumor prone to recurrence and metastasis.<br />

The metastatic rate for SCC of the hand is higher than<br />

elsewhere on the body, particularly if the primary<br />

lesion involves the digital web space. 230<br />

Basil cell carcinomas—Basal cell carcinomas (BCC)<br />

are very uncommon tumors on the finger. 241 Palmar<br />

variants have been observed, 242 especially in cases of<br />

Gorlin’s syndrome (multiple nevoid BCC syndrome), 243<br />

and BCC has been reported to also occur<br />

16<br />

subungually, 244 in which case differentiation from a<br />

subungual melanoma must be made. 245 Although BCC<br />

do not metastasize, they are locally aggressive.<br />

Excision is the usual form of treatment.<br />

Melanomas—Melanomas of the hand can occur on<br />

the palm 246–255 or subungually. 256–259 A study by Ridgeway<br />

et al. 255 showed that the acral histological subtype does<br />

not affect the disease-free and overall survival. Tumor<br />

thickness remains the only prognostic indicator.<br />

Slingluff et al. 252 found that acral melanoma has a<br />

strong racial predilection, carries a grave prognosis,<br />

and arises from glabrous skin. In that study, no<br />

survival difference was shown between volar and<br />

subungual sites, nor did amputation make a difference.<br />

Melanoma requires wide excision or amputation of the<br />

digit or hand, depending on location and depth. 260–262<br />

The appropriate level of amputation has not been<br />

determined. Papachristou and Fortner 256 advocated<br />

amputation through the carpometacarpal joint,<br />

whereas Finley et al. 258 performed seven finger<br />

amputations distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint<br />

(four just proximal to the distal interphalangeal joint<br />

and three just proximal to the proximal interphalangeal<br />

joint), with no local recurrences. Quinn et al. 259 showed<br />

no difference in local recurrence for subungual<br />

melanomas whether amputations are performed<br />

proximal or distal to the interphalangeal joint of the<br />

thumb or the middle of the middle phalanx in the<br />

fingers. Similarly, no prospective study to date has<br />

shown a survival or local control benefit to prophylactic<br />

lymph node dissection, regional perfusion, or<br />

immunotherapy. 263–265 The use of sentinel lymph node<br />

biopsy has grown significantly in recent years. 266,267<br />

Bony Tumors<br />

Several authors have presented excellent reviews of<br />

bony tumors of the hand. 268–270 Treatment is based on<br />

accurate diagnosis and staging of the lesions (Table 3).<br />

Chondromas<br />

Chondromas are the most common benign<br />

cartilaginous tumors of the hand. 271,272 Chondromas that<br />

remain within the substance of the bone or cartilage<br />

are called enchondromas. 273–275 Enchondromas favor the<br />

tubular bones of the hand, especially the middle and<br />

proximal phalanges. Congenital cartilaginous rests are

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!