Nodular Fasciitis: A Tumor withMisnomer!

Abstract

Nodular fasciitis is a peculiar a tumor in its clinical presentation and cytological appearance, owing to its similarity with soft tissue sarcoma. It is a rare benign neoplasm most commonly occurring in the upper extremity. Meanwhile it is selflimiting reactive process mimicking malignant lesion composed of Fibroblasts and Myoblasts. Here we are reporting two cases in the hand, with varied clinical presentation, were treated with complete surgical excision and pathologically confirmed to be Nodular Fasciitis. The term Nodular Fasciitis although pathologically is indicative of an inflammatory process, clinically it seems to be misleading since “Fasciitis” usually denotes an acute serious soft tissue infection. As per literature, this benign tumor is often described as pseudo-sarcomatous, yet its title gives no hint of such a concern. After dealing with the presented cases and the literature review it is evident that, diagnosing this specific lesion on basis of clinical picture, MRI or fine needle aspiration is very unlikely. Most cases will end up having surgical excision due to its frequently alarming presentation.