The Importance of Preoperative Imaging Study on a Solitary Neurofibroma Originated from the Digital Nerve

Abstract

This case is about a rare type of a solitary neurofibroma that originated from the digital nerve between the proximal phalanx of a finger and the web space, which was first misdiagnosed as giant cell tumor, ganglionic cyst, or fibroma originating from the tendon before radiologic studies were done. The preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a non-enhanced well-circumscribed mass and the digital nerve was deviated to the volar-medial side due to the mass effect. Since neurofibroma is difficult to differentiate from others by physical examination, crucial information such as the connection between the mass and the nerve or the deviation of the digital nerve can be obtained by MRI findings. And it is important to plan the surgery safely from this information.